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Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


33  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

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(716)  •72-4503 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

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CIHM/ICMH 
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Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Noten  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


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IPX  14X  18X  22X 


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lire 

details 
les  du 
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filmage. 

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dernldre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
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originaux  sont  filmte  en  commen9ant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernlire  page  qui  comporte  uno  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparattra  sur  la 
dernlAre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  seion  le 
cas:  le  symbols  — *►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE  ",  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
filmte  A  des  taux  de  reduction  diff6rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich6,  il  est  filme  A  partir 
de  I'angle  sup^rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nicessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mithode. 


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u 


MEMOIR 


or  THE  LATE 

REV.  LEMUEL  COVELL, 

MISSIONARY  TO  THE  TUSCARORA  INDIANS 

AND  THE  PROVINCE  OF  UPPER  CANADA ; 

COMPRISING  A  HISTORY 

OF    THE 

ORIGIN  AND  PROGRESS  OF  MlSSIOxNARY  OPERATIONS 

IN  THE 

SHAFTSBURY  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION, 

UP  TO  THE  TIME 
OF  MR.  COVELL'S  DECEASE  IN  1 8  0  6 . 

ALSO 


A  MEMOIR 

OF 

REV.  ALANSON  L.  COVELL, 

SON  or  THE  FJRMEE,  AND  LATE 

A  PASTOR  OF  THE  FIRST  BAPTIST  CHLRCII 
IN  THE  CITY  OF  ALBANY,  N.  Y. 

BY  MRS.  D.  C.  BROVi^N, 

DAUGHTER  AND  SISTER  OP  THE  DECEASED. 

TWO  VOLUMES  IN  ONE. 


BRANDON : 

TELEGRAPH    OFFICE. 


1839. 


"5^- 


'1 


Entered  according  to  act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  183&j 

BY  MRS.  D.  C.  BROWN, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  Vermont 

District, 


/00377 


RECOMMENDATIONS* 


"V 


:-*5V.:* 


"''"'MU*^' 


From  the  Rev.  Abijah  Peck. 
Dear  «i«<er;— Having   heard  read  the  manuscript 
copy  of  the  memoirs  of  your  deceased  Father,  Elder 
Lemuel  Covell,  compiled  by  yourself,  it  brings  to  re- 
membrance many  scenes  in  which  we  were  engaged 
together  in  trying  to  promote  the  cause  of  the  Redeemer; 
and  as  I  believe  it  contains  in  a  small  space,  much  use- 
ful information,  I  should  be  pleased  to  see  it  published. 
I  consider  what  is  said  of  the  deceased  is  not  exagger- 
ated, but  comes  short  ot  the  real  estimation  in  i^h  his 
character  was  held  by  those  acquainted  with  hirt  ^4 
Your  friend  and  brother,  in  the  kingdom  "p 

And  patience  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 

Mrs.  D.  C.  Brown.  ^'"^^  ^"'^• 

Chfton  Park,  June  3,  1839. 

From  the  Rev.  Isaiah  Matteson. 

Dear  Sister:— With  my  whole  heart,  I  bid  you  God 
speed  in  this  enterprizs,  truly  great  and  strictly  pious,  of 
publishing  the  memoir  of   your  Reverend  Father  and 
Brother,  with  both  of  whom   I  had  the  pleasure  of  a 
somewhat  intimate  acquaintance,  more  so  with  the  sen- 
ior.   In  all  my  extensive  acquaintance  with  ministers, 
for  40  years,  I  can  truly  say  there  was  not  one,  in  my 
humble  opinion,  so  richly  endowed  and  highly  gifted,  so 
entirely  consecrated,  so  uniformly  and  unaffectedly  hum- 
ble and  pious,  or  more  useful  than  this  dear  man  of  God. 
His  son  Alanson   evidently  seems  to  have  caught  the 
falling  mantle  of  his  father.    I  say  less  of  the  son  than 
flf  the  father,  (though  my  feeble  testimony  is  not  needed 
la  favor  of  either,)  because  there  are  abundaatlv  mnrp  nf 


\ 


} 


IV 


.  '    *  •  .  •*  ^ , 

RECOMMENDATIONS. 


those  now  living  who  have  personally  known  him,  and 
can  ^*^will  duly  appreciate  his  worth. 

Isaiah  Matteson, 

Pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  Church. in  Shafisbury. 

Shdjtsbury,  June  7,  1839. 

Ficom  Henry  Warren,  Esq.,  of  Pittstown,  N.  Y. 

I  hereby  ceriify  that  I  was  one,  and  am  the  only  one  now 
living,  of  the  Committee  who  were  engaged  in  settling 
the  pecuniary  concerns  of  the  late  Rev.  Lemuel  Covefl 
alluded  to  in  this  memoir.  The  account  as  given  by  the 
writer  is  correct.  I  was  also  one  of  the  Committee  who 
received  the  money  in  return  from  the  people  in  Chesh- 
ire, and  am  knowing  to  the  fact  that  there  was  a  mutual 
satisfaction  between  the  contracting  parties. 

Y^th  pleasure,  I  also  add,  that  no  man  evepl\stood 
higher  m  my  estimation  than  Mr.  Covell;  and  in  common 
with  the  few  now  remaining  of  his  congregation  and 
church,  I  cherish  his  memory  with  great  delight,  and  am 
pleased  with  the  prospect  of  having  his  memoir  and  that 
of  his  beloved  son  to  peruse.  I  cordially  wish  this  truly 
commendable  effort  of  the  daughter  and  sister,  abundant 

'"pi!f;.      T        1,    icon  Henry  Warren. 

Pittstown,  June  11,  1839. 

From  Rev.  Stephen  Hutchins. 
Very  Dear  Sister  Brown:— I  am  happy  to  learn  you 
contemplate  publishing  the  lives  of  your  memorable 
father  and  your  late  brother.  I  have  often  regretted  that 
the  church  should  be  deprived  of  the  biographies  of  so 
many  of  her  luminaries  of  the  last  century.  The  period 
in  which  ihey  lived,  I  consider  an  important  one  in  the 
Church,  and  especially  of  our  denomination.  The  fact 
also  that  your  father  was  one  of  iXie  first  pioneers  in  the 
cause  of  Missions  and  Ministerial  .Education,*   cannot 

*  From  a  communication  which  I  have  just  received  from  Ham. 
ilton  Theological  Institution,  I  learn  that  such  wL  Mr.  CoveiE 


m'nA 


RECOMMENDATIONS.  y 

fail  to  render  his  memoir  one  of  no  ordinary  interest.— 
And  though  the  sun  of  your  deceased  brotlier  set  long 
before  it  had  reached  its  meridian  splendor,  yet  such 
were  h-s  talents',  his  prudence,  his  zeal,  his  piety,  and 
his  success  m  winning  souls  to  Jesus,  that  his  praise 
will  long  remain  in  the  churches. 

Yours,  very  truly,  Stephen  Hutciiins, 

June  22, 1839^''^^''''  ^""^^''^  ^^"'''''^^  Bennington,  Vt. 

From  Rev.  John  Peck,  Agent  oTd^  N.  Y.  State  Bap.  Convention. 
The  author  was   indulged  with  an  interesting  visit 
with  this  well  known  and  dearly  beloved  servant  of  our 
Lord,  at  the  session  of  the  Shaftsbury  Association,  in 
1835.     The  subject  of  making  out  this  Memoir  was 
freely  conversed  upon,  and  received  his  cordial  approba- 
tion, with  the  offer  of  any  documents  I  might  fin4  among 
his  pamphlets  of  former  days,  if  I  would  make  a  Journey 
to  his  residence.    He  further  informed  me  that  Mr.  Co- 
veil  was  one  of  the  acting  presbytery  in  his  ordination, 
and  that  there  was  no  man's  memoir  he  could  be  happier 
to  see.    I  saw  him  again  at  Stillwater,  at  the  setting  of 
the  Saratoga  Association  June  25th,  of  this  present  year 
His  health  was  feeble  and  the  press  of  business  great: 
still  he  kindly  sat  down  and  advised  me  concerning  parts 
of  my  manuscript,  and  on  our  parting  said  to  me  «I 
wish  you  success,  sister  Brown,  in  your  good  undertak- 
mgj  and  as  there  is  no  chance  here  to  write,  I  wish  yoa 
to  say  for  me,  what  I  have  said  of  your  father  in  the 
History  of  the  Convention  published  by  brother  Lawton 
and  myself."    I  shall  avail  myself,  however,  of  a  short 
extract  only,  which  is  as  follows: 

anxiety  to  obtain  a  knowledge  of  the  laoguacreg  in  which  the  Rihl^ 

Z'.,-fli^'"^  '^  r","^"'.  *hat  he  contemplaled  atS'nV  them    f 
possible,  and  had  already  con7menced  a  preparatorv  coufse      AnH 
also  that  h,9  name  may  be  classed  with^  those  of  BaS'  sViH 
™^L?.".1«/'S' -ho  felt  deeply  the  want"  ofan  edicat"e'd''i'id 


,-;  n 


▼i 


# 


RECOMMENDATIONS. 


"Among  the  Missionaries  from  the  Shaftsbury  Asso- 
ciation who  visited  this  country,  and  penetrated  as  far  as 
Long  Point  in  U.  C,  Elder  Lemuel  Covell  was  particu- 
larly distinguished.  He  was  indeed  a  flaming  herald  of 
the  cross.  There  are  many  yet  living  who  cherish  for 
him  a  most  affectionate  and  grateful  remembrance.'* 


M' 


' 

I 


I: 


\  \ 


PREFACE, 


The  writer  oi fiction,  or  rather  of  history  founded  on  facts,  with 

Cctmous  superstructure,  needs  time,  or  distance  of  period,  between 

the  occurrence  of  events  and  their  being  presented  to  public  no- 

tice,  that  the  fanciful  embellishments  of  imagination  may  bo  inter- 

woven  without  danger  of  detection.    But  the  writer  of  sober  truth 

one  that  would  fain  "a  plain  unvarnished  tale  deliver,"  regrets  the 

absence  of  those  who  were  cotemporary  with  the  characters  and 

acquainted  with  the  circumstances;    Sensible  of  the  value  and 

importance  of  corroborative  testimony,  nothing  can  be  more  de- 

lightful  than  to  know  that  many  will  rise  up  and  say— "yes  that 

account  is  correct;  I  was  acquainted  with  the  circumstances'  and 

knowing  to  the  facts." 

The  writer  of  this  Memoir  laments  the  departure  of  so  many  of 
that  precious  band  of  brethren,  who  were  cotemporaries  and  fel- 
low laborers  with  the  senior  Mr.  Covell,  whoso  hearts  were  "knit 
together  as  the  heart  of  one  man,"  in  the  one  all-absorbing  desire  to 
promote  the  establishment  and  extension  of  the  Redeemer's  kinff- 
dom-to  plant  the  standard  and  extend  the  triumphs  of  the  cross 
in  every  section  of  our  favored  country.    Not  that  their  wishes 
were  bounded  by  territorial  limits,  or  that  they  felt  not  for  the 
aggravated  horrors  of  a  world  perishing  in  pagan  darkness,  but 
because  they  were  few  in  number      'l,  limited  in  pecuniary  ability; 
and  while  their  whole  heart  pra,  .e  to  God,-«send  out  thy  lighj 
and  thy  truth;  let  all  nations  come  and  worship  before  thee  •  givo 
the  heathen  to  thy  son  for  an  inheritance,  and  the  uttermost'parts 
of  the  earth  for  a  possession;  and  let  the  whole  earth  be  filled 
with  Jhy  glory,"  they  were  obliged  to  restrict  their  "labors  of 
love,    to  portions  lying  in  their  own  more  immediate  neighborhood. 

Some  few  of  the  venerable  body  yet  remain.  To  them  this 
humble  offering  of  a  daughter's  love  will  be  a  welcome  compila- 
tion,  as  several  of  them  have  alraady  expreasfld-    inHog^  u.^  |» 


vm 


PREFACE. 


f    .. 


not  been  for  the  approF  ition  and  nsiiiist'inco  of  thosr  my  dear  fath- 
er's friends,  I  must  long  since  havo  abandoned  the  cntcrprize  in 
despair. 

Desirous  that  the  memoir  of  both  father  and  son  should  he 
authentic,  after  having  collected  my  meterials  and  written  out  my 
narrative,  I  journeyed  about  from  friend  to  friend,  ns  fur  as  con- 
venience would  permit,  and  submitted  my  manuscript  to  tlio  super- 
vision of  thoso  who  were  best  capable  of  determining  its  accuracy. 
Some  on  whom  1  would  gladly  have  called  with  my  book, 
probably  possess  information  that  would  havo  rendered  the  work 
more  acceptable,  but  not  finding  it  in  my  power  to  visit  them,  ond 
failing  of  receiving  the  desired  information  by  letter,  I  havo  only 
to  bow  in  submission  to  my  heavenly  Father,  and  bless  his  iioly 
name  for  the  plenitude  of  his  goodness  in  granting  mo  so  much. 

To  all  who  have  aided  me,  cither  by  advice,  documents,  verbal 
information,  written  or  oral  approbation,  or  by  otiicr  expressions 
of  kindness,  I  tender  my  grateful  thanks.  To  some,  "I  was  a 
stranger  and  they  took  mo  in."  May  they  bo  remembered  of  Him 
who  takcth  note  even  of  "a  cup  of  cold  water." 

As  it  is  customary  for  writers,  when  first  appearing  before  the 
public,  to  make  some  apology,  and  to  express  a  sense  of  their 
unfitness  and  inadequacy  to  satisfy  the  expectations  which  their 
title  page  may  be  supposed  to  excite,  I  will  say  that  I  am  no 
stranger  to  these  feelings,  and  with  truth  moy  add  to  them  a  fear- 
fulness,  or  jealousy  over  myself,  on  account  of  the  interesting 
relation  subsisting  between  myself  und  the  lamented  subjects  of 
my  narrative,  lest  filial  and  fraternal  afibction  should  influence  me 
to  exhibit  them  too  much  in  the  superlative. 

I  hope  I  have  not  erred  in  delineating  their  characters  as  exhib- 
ited in  their  course;  but  if  in  aught  I  have  been  mistaken,  or  mis- 
informed, I  shall  bo  happy  to  be  corrected,  and  hope  to  be  par- 
doned. My  wish  is,  to  raise  a  just  memorial  to  these  dear  servants 
of  God,  and  to  leave  on  long  record,  a  testimonial  to  tho  faith- 
fulness of  Him  who  hath  promised  "never  to  forsake  the  righteous, 
or  suffer  his  seed  to  go  begging  bread." 

Believing  as  I  do,  that  religious  biography  is  one  among  the 
many  precious  s  treams,  which  make  glad  the  city  of  our  God,  I 
deem  no  apology  necessary  for  presenting  my  work  to  the 
religious  public.  On  the  contrary,  if  apology  be  needed  at  all,  it 
must  be  on  account  of  the  long  delay.  I  would  that  it  might  have 
appeared  sooner,  and  that  some  more  experience^  and  long  ac- 
credited pen  might  have  undertaken  the  pious  and  interesting 


I'RErACE. 


IX 


duty;  but  no  ono  oppcured  at  liberty  to  engage.  My  brother  often 
communed  with  mo  on  tho  subject  of  our  father's  Memoir,  and 
gathered  mimy  of  tho  nmtoriula  for  the  work,  but  declined  becom- 
ing tho  writer  himself,  both  because  every  moment  of  Iiin  time  was 
in  imperious  requisition,  and  becuuso  having  no  porrioniil  rccoilec-. 
lion  of  hia  father,  ho  feared  ho  should  not  be  adocjuato  to  tho  task. 
In  nearly  our  lust  conversation  on  thn  subject,  he  siiid  to  me, 
"Sister,  I  should  bo  ua  happy  to  become  o»ir  dear  father's  historian, 
ua  you  could  possibly  bo  to  havo  me,  did  I  consider  myself  cf|uul 
to  tho  undertaking.  I  have  not  Hko  you  enjoyed  fourteen  years  of 
intimate  acquaintance  with  him,  of  course  /can  not  so  well  know 
tho  genius  of  his  mind,  nor  tho  incidents  of  his  life;  i  nd  lam 
convinced,  that  if  it  bo  tho  lot  of  nny  one  it  is  yours;  and  if  you 
conclude  to  undertake,  I  shall  bo  happy  to  render  you  any  ansist- 
anco  in  my  power." 

But  it  was  not  until  after  I  had  been  called  to  part  with  this 
dear  brother  and  friend,  that  I  found  opportunity  to  gratify  this 
long  cherished  wish  of  my  heart;  and  then  instead  of  a  brother's 
aid  in  preparing  a  biography  of  our  father,  his  own  letters  and 
journal  lay  before  me  as  documents  for  his  own.  All  my  hopes 
concerning  him,  and  all  the  visioncd  happiness  of  coming  years,  in 
beholding  tho  pleasure  of  tho  Lord  continue  to  prosper  in  his 
hand,  together  with  all  the  actual  and  rich  enjoyment  of  his  visits 
and  correspondence,  were  all  buried  in  his  grave,  and  I  found 
myself  thrown  directly  upon  that  blessed  "Friend  who  stickoth 
closer  than  a  brother." 

Lonely  and  sorrowing  I  sat  down  to  enjoy  and  to  perform  my 
mournful  task.  Slowly  havo  I  progressed,  on  acc.unt  of  occa- 
sional ill  health,  and  domestic  affliction  and  care.  But  liaving 
obtained  help  of  tho  Lord,  I  havo  at  length  arrived  at  the  conclu- 
sion, and  submit  my  work  with  all  its  imperfections,  to  the  indul- 
gence of  the  Christian  community,  praying  tho  great  and  glorious 
Head  of  the  Church  to  add  his  blessing  to  this  and  every  eflbrt  to 
show  forth  his  faithfulness  to  those  who  put  their  trust  in  him,  and 
his  power  to  make  even  feeble  instruments  efficient  in  rolling  for- 
ward his  purposes  of  love  and  good  will  to  man. 
Pownal,  June,  1839. 


**>.« 


» 


il 


II  II 


3 


■frf 


CONTENTS. 


VOLUME    I. 


CHAPTER    I. 


Introductoryj  Nativity;  Parentage;  Education; 
Apprenticeship;  Majon.^  ;  Sojourn  in  Cana- 
da; Return;  Marriage;  Disaster  in  Oswe- 
gatchie;  Housekeeping;  Profession  of  Reli- 
gion; Preaching;  Ordination;  Journal;  Letter; 
Description  of  country ;  Shaftsbury  Associa- 
tion; Extracts  from  their  Minutes;  Circular; 
Henioval  to  Pittstown;  Church  in  Troy; — 
Circular. 


CHAPTER  II. 

Murder  of  his  Mother;  Derangement;  Sickness; 
Restoration ;  Visit  to  Shaftsbury  and  Sermon ; 
Half  Brothers ;  Extract  from  the  Minutes  of 
1800 ;  Baptism  of  Mrs.  Covell ;  Farm  and 
Mechanic  Shop;  Beginning  of  Missionary 
effort;  Corresponding  Letter;  Doings  of  the 
Anniversary  of  1802. 


XII 


CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  III. 

Reflections;  Temporal  Embarrassment;  Broth- 
erly-kindness; Doings  of  the  Anniversary 
of  1803;  His  first  Mission  to  Upper  Can- 
ada; Return;  Hymn;  Birth  of  ^only  son; 
Doings  of  the  Anniversary  of  1804;  Partition 
of  the  Shaftsbury  Association  to  form  that 
of  the  Saratoga;  Rev.  Abijah  Peck;  Request 
to  publish  Missionary  Narrative. 

CHAPTER   IV. 

Narrative  of  his  first  Mission,  with  the  appen- 
dix. 

CHAPTER    V. 

Temporal  troubles,  and  giving  up  of  worldly 
concerns;  Doings  of  the  session  of  1805; 
Second  appointment  to  the  Canada  Mission; 
Letters  to  his  daughter;  Journey  to  Boston; 
Invitation  from  the  church  in  Cheshire,  Mass.; 
Occurrence  among  the  Indians  while  on  his 
Mission;  Removal  to  Cheshire;  Review  of 
his  sojourn  in  Pittstown. 

CHAPTER    VI. 

Pastoral  enjoyment;  Session  of  1806,  peculiar- 
ly interesting;  Extrncts  fiom-  fhe  Minutes; 
Third  appointment  to  Canada:  General  Meet- 


CONTENTS. 


Sill 


ing;  Last  leave;  Letters  and  Poem;  Sick- 
ness ;  Deal :  Affliction  and  mourning  in 
many  places;  Funeral  Poem;  Personal  de- 
scription; Kindness  of  the  people;  Uncom- 
mon trait  of  character;  Summary  view,  and 
consequent  reflections. 

CHAPTER    VII. 

Session  of  1S07 ;  Visit  of  Elder  Irish ;  Extracts 
from  the  Minutes;  Interesting  Note  of  Dr. 
Baldwin;  Elegiac  Poem;  Grave;  Analysis 
of  Sermons. 


MEMOIR. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Introductory;  Nativity;  Parentage;  Education;  Appren- 
ticeship;  Majority ;  Sojourn  in  Canada;  Return;  Mar- 
riage; Disaster  in  Oswegatchie;  Housekeeping;  Pro- 
fession of  religion;  Preaching;  Ordination;  Journal: 
Letter;  Description  of  country;  Shaftsbury  Associa- 
tion; Extracts  from  their  Minutes;  Circular;  Removal 
to  Pittstown  J  Church  in  Troy ;  Circular. 

To  behold  the  present  broad  expanse  of  Missionary 
operations-— to  see  the  holy  flame  spreading  from  land  to 
land,  from  sea  to  sea,  enkindling  beacons  of  mercy  on 
islands  and  continents,  kingdoms  and  colonies,  States 
and  dependencies— to  read  the  communications  from  men 
converted  by  these  lights  shining  in  dark  places,  from 
the  error  of  their  ways,  to  the  worship  of  "the  true  and 
living  God"— to  behold  idols  and  temples  becoming 
prostrate  before  the  effulgent  blaze  of  truth,  and  the 
moral  wilderness  beginning  to  bud  and  blossom  as  the 
rose— it  seems  scarcely  possible  that  it  is  still  something 
less  than  forty  years,  since  the  first  systematic  effori  was 
made  to  supply  tb'^  destitute  of  our  own  mission  field; 
and  still  less  since  that  field  has  been  extended  to  em.- 
brace  the  world.  «It  is  the  Lord's  doing,  and  it  is 
marvellous  in  our  eyes."  He  said  "  let  there  be  light, 
and  there  was  light."  He  "saith,  to  this  servant  (jo, 
and  he  goeth;  to  another  come,  and  he  cometh;  to  an- 
other do  this,  and  he  doeth  it."  "Many  have  run  to  and 
fro,  and  knowledge  is  increased;"  and  our  hearts  are 
now  frequently  gladdened,  by  report  from  various  and 


16 


MEMOIR     OF 


distant  stations,  that  the  great  Head  of  the  Church,  the 
one  grand  Missionary  from  on  high,  He  who  hath  shown 
us  the  way,  and  bidden  us  to  walk  therein,  is  verifying 
to  his  humble  followers  the  all-sufRcient  promise,    'and 
lo  1  am  with  you  alway."    But  "by  whom  did  Jacob 
arise?  for  he  was  small."    How  many  of  the  present 
generation  are   acquainted  with  the  beginning  of  this 
department  of  gospel  operations?  "this  day  of,  numeric- 
ally, small  things?"    Few,  few  indeed.   And  the  design 
of  this  memoir  is,  to  show,  in  connection  with  the  histo- 
ry of  an  individual,  the  rise,  and  the  progress,  of  mis- 
sionary effort  in  the  Baptist  denomination,  in  this  portion 
of  our  country. 

Until  1802,  nothing  of  the  kind  had  been  attempted 
among  us  in  systematic  form.  A  Baptist  missionary, 
the  Rev.  Elicanah  Holmes,  had  been  previously  estab- 
lished among  the  Seneca  and  Tuscarora  Indians;  but  I 
am  informed  he  was  sent  out  by  the  New- York  Mission- 
ary. Society,  composed  of  different  denominations,  but 
mostly  of  the  Presbyterian.  Baptists  had  not  then 
become  sufficiently  numerous,  or  sufficiently  endowed,  to 
do  moVe  than  supply  their  own  immediate  territory.  But 
at  the  date  of  which  we  speak,  a  simultaneous  effort  was 
made  by  the  distinguished  Baptists  at  Boston  and  vicini- 
ty, and  the  Shaftsbury  Baptist  Association.  Probably 
neither  body  was  aware,  at  the  precise  time,  of  the  do- 
ings of  the  other.  But  as  the  two  Associations  corres- 
ponded, their  respective  views  and  doings  became  recip- 
rocally known  and  mutually  understood. 

The  projected  limits  of  this  work  will  confine  us 
strictly  to  the  doings  of  the  Shaftsbury  Association. — 
In  the  bright  constellation  of  ministers  composing  that 
reverend  body,  no  one  shone  more  conspicuously  than 
the  subject  of  the  present  memoir.    • 

Little  is  known  of  the  minulisc  of  Mr.  Covell's  early 


4 


LEMUEL     COVELL. 


17 


history.    The  more  prominent  events  are  as  follow: 

Born  at  Nine-Partners,  Dutchess  Co.,  New- York,  on  che 
28th  of  June,  A.  D.  1764.    Left  an  orphan  in  his  fourth 
year,  he  went  to  live  with  his  mother's  parents.    His 
grand-father's  name  was  Payne.    He  was  a  relative  of 
the  Thomas  Payne,  so  celebrated  for  his  patriotism  and 
notorious  as  an  infidel.    Fortunately  for  Mr.  Covell  this 
Mr.  Payne  and  his  wife  were  both  pious.    Schools  were 
then  scarce  in  our  country,  and  his  grand-mother  learned 
him  the  rudiments  of  language  herself,  that  he  might  be 
able  to  read  in  the  Psalter.     He  remained   with  his 
grand-parents,  until  he  was  fourteen,  and  in  the  course 
of  that  time,  was  sent  to  school  six  weeks.    He  was 
now  apprenticed  to  a  blacksmith,  and  while  an  appren- 
tice, was  indulged  with  eleven  evenings'  attendance  at  a 
school  "  to  learn  to  cipher."    This  completed  his  scholas- 
tic course.    But  the  God  of  nature  had  given  him  inves- 
tigating powers  of  mind,  and  an  aptitude  to  avail  himself 
of  all  possible   opportuniiies  for  improvement.    It  has 
been  said  by  some  writer,  Mrs.  Phelps,  I  believe,  that  no 
one  can  be  a  good  reader  without  genius.    If  so,  Mr. 
Covell  was  a  genius  of  the  first  order.    He  possessed  a 
vividness  of  perception,  that  enabled  him  to  transfer  the 
spirit  of  the  writer  to  his  own  bosom ;  and  whatever 
author  or  subject  he  read,  he  appeared  like  one  pronounc- 
ing his  own  sentiments.    He  wrote  with  great  rapidity, 
yet  perfectly  intelligible,  and  became  unusually  ready 
and  accurate,  in  the  science  of  Arithmetic.    He  studied 
no  grammar,  yet  his  language  was  ever  correct,    ^n 
innate  sense  of  propriety  enabled  him  to  detect  inaccu- 
racy and  avoid  it.  i 

On  attaining  his  majority,  he  commenced  business  as 
a 'blacksmith  in  company  with  a  Mr.  Denio,  in  Shafts- 
bury,  Bennington  Co.  Vermont.  Here  we  begin  to  learn 
something  of  his  moral  character.  It  had  one,  one  only 
ahade,  but  that  was  a  shade,  one  too  that  he  bitterly 


m 


18 


MEMOIR     OF 


ir 


mourned  over  in  after  time,  an  addictedness  to  the  use  of 
profane  language.  He  soon  became  endeared  to  the 
young,  by  a  scarcely  ever  ceasing  flow  of  good  humor 
and  sportiveness,  and  beloved  and  respected  by  all,  for 
his  obliging  disposition,  his  uprightness  in  deal^  and  his 
punctuality  in  business.  As  might  be  expected  from  a 
mind  of  his  organization,  he  was  quick  in  everything,  of 
course  hasty  in  his  temper;  but  readily  appeased,  show- 
ing himself  as  willing  to  be  cooled  as  to  be  irritated. — 
He  never  treasured  up  wrath,  hoarded  malice,  or  sought 
revenge.  At  that  period  the  religious  community  was 
mostly  Presbyterian.  Baptists  were  comparatively  few, 
and  the  more  zealous  among  them  weie  called  New 
Lights.  A  man  at  his  shop  one  day  dropped  a  word 
about  his  profanity  and  excessive  gaiety.  "O,  well,  said 
he,  I  shall  leave  it  off  by  and  by,  and  turn  preacher.  I 
mean  to  be  a  great  Presbyterian  minister  yet — not  one 
of  these  New  Li.^hts." 

He  remained  in  Shaftsbury  about  two  years.  We 
next  find  him  with  Mr.  Simeon  Covell,  a  brother  of  his 
father,  in  Lower  Canada.  While  there,  he  experienced 
"a  change  of  heart,"  but  made  no  open  profession  of 
religion.  About  the  year  1789,  he  came  to  Galway, 
Saratoga  Co.  New-York.  That  was  the  residence  of 
all  the  own  brother  and  sister  he  had.  While  there,  he 
became  acquainted  with  Miss  Clarissa  Mather,  descend- 
ant of  the  celebrated  Dr.  Cotton  Mather  of  Boston. — 
They  married,  and  thought  of  returning  to  Canada  to 
lill^  "But  it  is  not  in  man  that  walketh  to  direct  his 
steps."  With  reference  to  his  determination  of  settling 
in  Canada,  he  carried  Mrs.  Covell  to  Suffield,  Connec- 
ticut, and  leaving  her  there  in  the  bosom  of  her  mother^s 
friends,  commenced  his  return  to  his  uncle,  with  a  view 
to  make  arrangements  for 
hiuiself  with  him. 


removmg 


and  establishing 


LEMUEL     COVELL. 


19 


It  wd'j  winter,  and  the  country  thinly  peopled,  espe- 
cially in  the  western  part  of  New-York.    Few  indeed 
were  "the  lodging  places  of  the  wilderness,"  and  the 
"  way-faring  man"  must  travel  hours  to  go  over  all  the 
intervening  distance.    He  journeyed  on  foot,  and  while 
traversing  the  wilds  of  Oswegatchie,  his  sufferings  from 
the  severe  cold  were  intense.    While  passing  from  one 
habitation  to  the  next,  a  distance  of  many  miles,  his  feet 
became  frozen,  and  he  was  confined  at  the  house  where 
he  put  up,  eleven  weeks.    Whether  this  circumstance 
changed  his  mind  with  respect  to  settling  in  that  region, 
is  not  known.    He  however  accomplished  the   small 
remnant  of  his  journey,  adjusted  his  concerns  in  Canada, 
with  something  of  a  sacrifice  of  property,  and  eventually- 
returned  with  his  wife  to  Galway.     There  he  commenced 
housekeeping,  and  there  his  mind  became   excited  to 
confess  Christ  before  men.    It  is  matter  of  regret,  that  , 
wo  find  no  written  account  of  the  work  of  Divine  grace 
upon  his  heart,  as  it  is  ever  interesting  and  profitable  to 
compare  notes  with  those  who  have  been  redeemed  from 
the  power  and  dominion  of  sin — to  contemplate  "the 
diversity  of  operations,"  and  to  behold  in  all  "the  same 
spirit."    We  have  a  precious  relic  in  his   own   hand 
writing,  of  his  early  history  as  a  herald  of  salvation. — 
We  transcribe  it  verbatim. 

'''"Memorandum  of  preaching^  ^c. 
My  first  attempt  to  preach,  was  at  Galway  on  the 
evening  of  the  21st  of  February,  1792.  I  was  thea  a 
member  of  the  Third  Baptist  church  in  Galway.  Since 
that  time,  a  town,  has  been  set  off  from  Galway,  by  the 
name  of  Providence,  which  has  occasioned  the  said 
church  to  assume  the  name  of  the  First  Baptist  church 
in  Providence.  I  was  at  that  time  laboring  under  many 
doubts  and  trials  in  my  mind,  with  respect  to  the  duty  of 
preaching  the  gospel.    Those  trials  prevented  my   al- 

2* 


If 


20 


MEMOIR    OF 


templing  the  work,  except  ia  very  few  instances,  till 
about  the  beginning  of  October,  1792.    From  that  time 
forward,  I  continued  to  preach  statedly,  one-half  of  the 
time  with  the  church  where  I  lived,  and  the  other  half 
in  a  new  settlement,  about  four  miles  from  our  usual 
place  of  meeling.    Toward  the  latter  part  of  the  year 
1793,  the  church  gave  me  a  letter  of  license  to  preach, 
wherever  I  thought  it  to  be  my  duty.     I  then  agreed  to 
preach  steadily  with  the  people  in  the  settlement  above- 
mentioned,  which  was  then  a  part  of  Galway.    About 
the  middle  of  August,  1794,  a  very   great  awakening 
took  place ;  a  number  were  hopefully  converted ;  and  on 
the  last  of  December,  the   same   year,  a  church  was 
established  in  that  place,  by  the  name  of  the  Fourth 
Baptist  church  in  Galway,  which  was  afterwards  called, 
the  Second  in  Providence.    I  removed  my  residence  and 
membership  to  the  newly  established  church,  and  in  the 
year  1796,  was  by  them  regularly  called  to  take  upon 
me  the  work  of  the  Gospel  ministiy,  by  being  publicly 
ordained  to  that  purpose.     With  great  reluctance  I  cou- 
senied  to  accept  their  call,  and  was  ordained  on  the  11th 
of  May  of  that  year." 

The  manuscript  proceeds  with  the  minutia  of  the 
doinsfs  of  the  council,  and  ceremonies  of  the  ordination, 
but  as  the  following  certificate  presents  us  the  summary, 
we  omit  the  details. 

"At  the  same  time  I  received  the  following  certificate: 
Tliis  may  certify  to  all  whom  it  may  concern,  that  Lem- 
uel Covell  is  a  member  of  the  Second  Baptist  church  in 
Providence,  being  a  wholesome  member  and  in  good 
standing.  Said  church  called  on  him  to  take  the  lead  of 
them  as  a  preacher,  and  after  satisfaction  of  his  call  to 
the  ministry,  they  called  on  several  churches  of  the 
same  faith  and  order  to  sit  in  council  to  ordain  him. — 
Said  council  convened  on  the  10th  ol  May  for  that  pur.- 


LEMUEL     COVELL. 


21 


pose,  and  afcer  a  strict  and  critical  examination,  by  a 
uuinber  of  ministers  and  substantial  brethren,  he  was 
ordained  oq  the  lUh  of  May  1796,  by  us  as  a  presbytery. 

Joseph  Counell,  i 
Samuel  Rogers,  >  Elders. 
Jonathan  Finch,  ) 

Providence,  May  11,  1796." 


Mr.  Covell  then  continues: 

"Not  Ion?  after,  I  began  to  preach  in  a  stated  way.  I 
began  to  keep  a  journal  of  the  times  and  places  of 
preaching,  and  of  texts  of  Scripture  I  preached  from.  I 
continued  to  keep  said  journal,  regularly,  about  a  year, 
during  which  time  I  often  hud  very  serious  reflections  on 
the  matter,  and  many  queries  presented,  whether  it  was 
right.  On  the  one  haaJ,  there  appeared  to  me  some 
advantage,  or  at  least  convenience,  connected  with  such 
a  practice.  On  the  other  hand,  I  often  viewed  it  as 
carrying  too  much  the  appearance  of  a  mechanic's  book 
of  accounts.  At  length,  the  latter  had  so  much  effect  on 
my  feelings,  that  I  came  to  a  resolution  to  proceed  no 
farther  in  the  practice.  I  committed  my  journal  to  the 
flames,  and  while  it  was  dissolving  to  smoke  and  ashes, 
I  felt  a  kind  of  enthusiastic  satisfaction,  which  I  then 
looked  upon  as  good  evidence  that  Heaven  approved  the 
act,  but  which  I  now  believe  was  the  effect  of  supersti- 
tion and  ignorance,  of  which  I  then  possessed  a  pretty 
large  share,  though  I  did  not  at  that  lime  perceive  or 
believe  it.  I  have  often  thought  since,  that  it  would  be 
matter  of  real  pleasure  to  me,  if  I  could  despatch  that 
act,  and  many  others  at  that  stage  of  my  life,  to  ever- 
lasting oblivion,  with  the  same  ease  I  did  my  little  inno- 
cent scrap  of  a  journal.  Several  other  small  scraps  of 
memorandums,  which  might  have  been  of  some  use  to 
me,  shared  a  similar  fate.  Viewing  these  as  acts  of 
religious  heroism,  and  being  a  little  elated  with  the  tho'ts 


98 


MEMOIR     OF 


fff  k  vingr  fitetd  so  signal  a  victury  over  my  (iride,  I 
madNi  ■"»'  jr»  to  sorn  !  of  my  friends,  what  Iliad  done, 
Ihe  sirugu  ^s  I  had  felr  '  i  my  own  breast  on  the  subject, 
and  the  conscious  pleasure,  as  1  called  it,  which  I  felt  on 
the  occasion.  Instead  of  corretuing  this  error  of  my 
youth,  ihey  joined  'i  my  superstitious  exultation,  greatly 
admired,  and  highly  commen  led  the  supposed  christian 
luttgttai^iaiity  I  had  displayed.  O,  the  power  of  super- 
stition ! 

Sometime  before  I  was  ordained,  having  had  more 
time  for  deliberation,  and  experience  having  corrected 
some  of  my  sincere  errors,  I  felt  real  regret  and  mortifi- 
cation, that  I  had  acted  so  rashly.  I  could  then  see  no 
moral  evil,  but  many  real  advantages,  in  keeping  written 
memorandums  of  many  things  that  occurred  in  the 
course  of  my  labors  as  a  minibter  of  the  Gospel.  I 
finally  came  to  a  resolution  to  lay  aside  such  childish 
notions,  and  to  do  everything  in  my  power  to  improve 
my  own  mind,  and  the  minds  of  others.  And  believing 
that  a  recurrence  to  what  had  passed,  might,  in  many 
instances,  be  a  guide  and  monitor  in  future,  and  answer 
many  useful  purposes  to  myself  and  others,  I  determined 
to  give  myself  free  latitude  to  commit  to  writing  what- 
ever I  might  from  time  to  time  deem  proper  or  useful  to 
be  preserved.  And  I  have  only  to  regret  that  the  cir- 
cumscribed state  of  my  affairs  in  life  has  prevented  my 
doing  more  in  that  way  than  I  have.  I  should  not  have 
gi  en  myself  the  pain  of  committing  the  above  circum- 
stances to  writing,  were  it  not  that  I  wish,  by  honestly 
confessing  my  own  mistakes,  to  dissuade  my  dtar  uuih 
dren,  for  whose  sake,  principally,  I  have  undecru.n 'o 
throw  my  loose  memorandums  into  regular  form, 
from  being  prevented  by  any  superstitious  qualms,  from 
taking  all  just  methods  to  lay  a  foundation  in  youth  for 
pleaL'iii;.,  rn^'oad  of  uncomfortable  reflections,  in  maturer 


LEMU  fi  L     C  OV  E  LL . 


93 


stages  of  llfo.  And  I  e.irnesli/  entreat  them  to  sufler 
the  disinterested  admonitions  of  an  afVertionate  father  to 
have  due  weight  on  their  minds,  in  eveiy  period  of  their 
lives. 

To    return    to    my  subject.  ^ After  I  was  or-bined, 
I  determined  to  keep  an  account  of  all  the  sermoaj  T 
should  preach,  with  a  statement  of  ihe  times,  places, 
and  occasions  of  preaching,  and  the  texts  of  Scripture 
made  use  of.    I  also  thought  proper  to  keep  an  account 
of  all  my  administrations  of  the  ordinances,  witlx  the 
times  and  places  of  admiaistering.    I  also  viewcl  it  my 
duty   to  keep  a  strict  account  of  all  marriages  I  ;;liould 
be  called  to  administer,  with  the  names  of  the  persons, 
&c.     I  have  hitherto  kept  my  journal  on  looss  piipcrs,' 
without  reducing  them  to  such  a  regular  form  as  would 
render  them  intelligible  to  any  person  but  myself.    But 
viewing  the  uncertainty  of  life,  and  being  desiious  that 
my  family  and  friends,  may  have  the  satisfaction,  if  any 
it  can  afford,  of  perusing  it,  after  its  author  sleeps  in  the 
dust,  I  have  now  undertaken  to  reduce  it  lo  sucli  state,  as 
to  render  it  instructive  to  my  dear  family,  to  whom'  in 
the  fear  of  that  God  to  whom  I  look  for  every  bleasiag, 
I  most  afFectionaiely  dedicate  this  work,  ami  (;ic  future 
continuance  of  it,  earnestly  praying,  that  a  Diviau  bless- 
ing may  rest  upon  the  unworthy  author,  the  performance, 
and  all  who  may  ever  have  the  perusal  of  if. 

Lemuel  Covell." 
Pittstown,  Dec.  8,  1804. 

Here  closes  all  that  is  now  to  be  found  of  the  auto- 
biography. It  was  continued  to  some  consideiahle  ex- 
tent, and  it  is  to  be  feared,  and  lamealed  that  some  one 
of  those  who  had  the  care  of  Mr.  Coveli's  papers  has 
been  actuated  by  a  mistaken  delicacy,  in  cutting  out 
from  the  manuscript  history  so  many  of  the  sacred  leaves. 
They  are  gone,  with  much  else  that  would  have  been 


24 


MEMOIR     OP 


^l 


pleasant  and  profitable,  but  there  is  an  imperishable 
record  on  high ;  "  his  name  is  written  in  heaven,"  and 
his  works  have  followed  him  there. 

The  next  article  at  hand  is,  the  copy  of  a  letter  to 
Mr.  Joseph  Osborn,  which  appears  to  have  been  an 
answer  to  a  request  from  him.    It  is  given  verbatim. 

"Providence,  Feb.  23,  1797. 

Beloved  Friend :— I  am  now  as  ripe  as  I  expect  to  be 
soon,  to  give  you  an  exposition  on  the  wise  man's  ex- 
pression, "Be  not  overmuch  righteous,  neither  make 
thyself  overmuch  wise;  why  shouldest  thou  destroy 
thyself?" 

1st.  Negatively,  we  cannot  be  really  and  truly  right- 
eous to  excess.  Neither  can  we  have  too  much  of  that 
wisdom  that  cometh  from  above. 

But,  2d.  Positively,  we  ought  not  to  be  loo  much 
talkalively,  pretendedly,  or  hypocritically  righteous :  i.  e. 
never  pretend  to  be  very  zealous,  or  righteous,  beyond 
what  you  really  are,  for  the  sake  of  making  a  show  in 
the  religious  class ;  for  if  you  do,  your  hypocrisy  will 
soon  be  discovered,  and  your  influence  as  a  reprover,  or 
religious  adviser,  &c.,  will  be  destroyed;  for  who  loves 
or  dreads  the  hypocrite  with  all  his  sanctity? 

"Neither  make  thyself  overmuch  wise."  Never  pre- 
tend to  abundance  of  wisdom  or  knowledge— or  "think 
more  highly  of  thyself  than  thou  oughtest  to  think,  but 
think  soberly;"  or  else  thy  folly  will  soon  be  discovered 
by  thy  self-conceitedncss,  and  thy  influence,  usefulness, 
and  reputation  will  be  totally  destroyed. 

"Be  not  overmuch  wicked,  why  shouldest  thou  die 
before  thy  time?"  1st.  Every  instance  of  wickedness 
is  more  than  we  ought  to  commit,  therefore  to  commit 
one  sin  is  (in  that  respect)  to  be  overmuch  wicked.— 
But,  2d.  I  understand  the  text  under  consideration,  to 
mean   this:    Be  not  presumptuously,    or  audaciously 


I- 


%\'i 


-,-.-»-> 


LEMUE  L   C  0 V  ELL. 


25 


wicked ;  why  shouldest  ihou  thereby  expose  thyself  to 
the  law,  and  be  executed  as  a  malefactor:  or  why 
shouldest  thou  thereby  rush  into  some  uncommon,  or,  as 
we  often  speak,  some  untimely  death  ? 

This  is  the  best  light  I  have  on  the  subject.  If  you 
differ  from  me  in  opinion,  be  so  good  as  to  give  me  yours 
on  the  subject. 

May  the  Lord  grant  that  you  and  I  may  be,  not  pre- 
tendedly  or  hypocritically,  but  really  and  truly  righteous; 
not  conceitedly  knowing,  but  wise  unto  salvation,  for 
Christ's  sake.— Amen. 

I  am  yours,  &c.,  Lemuel  Covell." 

To  Joseph  Oshorn. 

Returning  to  the  date  of  his  ordination,  we  will  re- 
sume the  natural  method  of  noting  events  in  the  order 
of  their  occurrence.    But  we  are  now  no  longer  to  trace 
him  as  a  private  individual  merely.    He  has  now  become 
one  of  a  chosen  hand,  that  were  to  "  prepare  the  way  of 
the  Lord,"  and  "  cast  up  in  the  wilderness  a  highway 
for  our  God."    He  is  now  to  appear  before  us  in  new, 
and  more  interesting  positions.    As  God  had  given  hioi 
the  spirit  of  a  pioneer,  so  did  he  spread  out  the  way 
before  him,  and  point  him  along  from  post  to  post,  from 
station  to  station,  from  adventure  to  adventure,  if  so  we 
may  say,  until  the  principle  had  ample  developement, 
and  It  might  with  truth  be  said,  that  he  had  "  obtained 
grace  to  be  faithful."    In  destitute  places  he  planted;  in 
less  uncultivated  portions  he  watered;  where  nothing  had 
been  done,  he  ''  preached  Jesus  Christ  ind  him  crucified;" 
where  the  foundation  had  been  already  laid,  he  labored 
to  "build  up  in  the  most  holy  faith,"  ''becoming  ail 
thmgs  to  all  men,  if  by  all  means  he  might  save  some." 
The  church  over  which  he  was  now  constituted  pas- 
tor, was,  as  we  may  see  by  his  journal,  gathered  under 


f j^m  I 


MMfP 


••>M*«#<>>^"«' 


26 


MEMOIR    OF 


i  H 


his  ministration,  "being  the  first  fruits  unto  God"   by 
him. 

As  he  was  now  to  enter  a  wider  field  of  operation,  it 
may  not  be  amiss  to  survey  tlie  ground.  For  an  extent 
of  several  hundred  miles  west,  and  around  Saratoga 
county,  much  of  the  country  remained  in  its  original 
wildness;  and  in  several  sections,  the  Indian  still 
roamed  his  native  forests  free.  But  the  forest  and  the 
Indian  Were  fast  disappearing  at  the  sound  of  ths  axe, 
and  the  smoke  of  the  wliite  man's  dwelling.  The  spirit 
of  emigration  has  probably  existed  ever  since  the  time 
our  first  parents  went  forth  from  the  garden  of  Eden; 
and  under  its  influence,  settlements  were  fast  forming  in 
the  region,  and  at  the  time  of  which  we  speak.  Indeed 
there  were  some  few  townships  that,  both  from  appear- 
ance and  date,  might  be  called,  old  settled  places;  but 
most  of  the  country  was  new — emphatically  new.  The 
gigantic  growths  of  ages  were  to  be  levelled— the  earth 
was  to  be  subdued — habitations  were  to  be  reared — soci- 
ety formed— and  the  vvor'ship  of  God  instituted  and 
maintained.  Truly  the  field  was  wide,  the  harvest  or 
labor  of  ingathering  of  souls  was  great,  and  the  laborers 
few.  And  those  few  needed,  and  most  of  them  seemed 
to  be  endowed  with,  a  double  unction  from  on  high. — 
Nearly  every  one  was  called  to  cfiiciate  as  pastor  and 
evangelist  too;  and  nobly  did  they  fill  the  measure  of 
their  days.  East  of  Saratoga,  through  Rensselaer  Coun- 
ty, the  south  part  of  Vermont,  and  the  northern  part  of 
Massachusetts,  the  country  had  been  settled  longer. — 
Framed  houses.  Baptist  churches,  and  ordained  ministers, 
were  more  frequent;  and  here,  including  Saratoga  Coun- 
ty, were  located  most  of  the  churches  composing  the 
Shaftsbury  Association.  This  body,  according  to  Mr. 
Benedict,  "was  constituted  in  17S0,  containing  at  first 
but  five  churches,  vi/5 :  Two  in  Shaflsbury,  one  in  Chesh- 


cjng 


L  E  M  U  E  L     C  0  V  E  L  L  .  27 

ire,  one  in  Stillwater,  and  one  in  White  Creek.  The 
principal  ministers  were  Peter  WordeUj  Williatn  Wait, 
Lemuel  Powers,  and  Josepli  Cornell." 

But  as  settlements  increased,  and  the  word  of  God 
grew  and  multiplied,  new  churches  arose,  and  were  added 
to  the  parent  stock.  They  met  annually,  and  published 
the  Minutes  of  their  doings,  but  the  earliest  number  at 
hand  is  dated  17S8.  At  that  session,  they  numbered 
sixteen  churches, .  eleven  ordained  ministers,  eight  hun- 
dred and  three  communicants.  Nothing  unusually  inter- 
esting in  their  Minutes.  But  at  their  next  session, 
holden  at  Hillsdale,  Columbia  Co.,  New- York,  we  find 
the  10th  article  of  their  Minutes  to  read  thus: 

"As  the  churches  of  Stillwater  and  Hillsdale  have 
signified  in  their  letters,  that  their  respective  Elders,  L. 
Powers,  and  Stephen  Gano,  (afterwards  of  Providence, 
R.  I.,)  are  disposed  to  travel  considerable  part  of  their 
time,  and  preach  the  Gospel,  and  the  churches  acquies- 
cing therein  have  requested  us  to  send  supplies  to,  and 
provide  for  them,  while  their  Elders  may  be  absent.     We 
heartily  rejoice  to  find  the  churches'  Elders  engaged  in 
the  cause  and  spread  of  the  truth— and  appoint  the  fol- 
lowing supplies,"  &c. 

This  is  supposed  to  be  the  first  and  last  record  of  its 
kind,  until  Mr.  Covell's  time.    It  assuredly  is,  unless 
some   of  the  few  missing  numbers  of  their  Minutes 
should  afford  something  similar.    But  from  the  tenor  of 
those  at  hand,  that  is  deemed  improbable.     The  Associ- 
ation was  annually  increasing  in  numbers  and  gifts.— 
Occasionally  some  church  would  drop  off  to  unite  with 
some  other  associated  body,  as  it  rose,  still  the  annual 
returns  show  a  iiett  gain,  and  the  pages  of  their  Minutes 
occasionally  something  not  altogether  irrelevant  to  the 
interest  of  our  own  pages.     The  following  extract  from 
-.nc  ruuidics  ut  l/i;^;Uiuiough  It  has  no  direct  connectioa 


m 


MEMOIR    OF 


with  the  history  of  Mr.  Covell  or  the  missionary  doings, 
will  still  serve  to  make  us  somewhat  acquainted  with 
the  men  he  was  soon  to  become  associated  with. 

"  Article  16.  Voted  to  transcribe  into  our  Minutes  the 
following  article,  taken  from  the  Minutes  of  the  Warren 
Association  of  last  year,  as  fully  containing  our  senti- 
ments. That  the  Association  being  impressed  with  a 
sense  of  that  freedom  which  every  child  of  Adam  is 
entitled  to  by  nature,  and  of  which  they  cannot  be  de- 
prived but  by  hostile  usurpation,  take  this  method  of 
manifesting  their  hearty  detestation  of  the  slave-trade, 
and  recommend  it  to  all  our  brethren,  to  pray  Almighty 
God,  to  hasten  the  auspicious  day,  when  the  Ethiopian, 
with  all  the  human  race,  shall  enjoy  that  liberty  due  to 
every  good  citizen  of  the  commonwealth,  and  t\ie  name 
of  slave  be  extirpated  from  the  earth." 

The  Circular  Letter  of  1793,  was  from  the  pen  of 
Elder  John  Leland,  upon  the  Divine  authenticity  of  the 
sacred  scriptures.  Our  limits  will  deny  us  the  rich  treat 
of  the  entire  letter,  but  we  make  room  for  the  first  para- 
graph as  we  pass : 

*' Beloved  Brethren:— It  is  a  leading  characteristic  of 
the  Baptists,  that  without  pope,  or  king  for  head— with- 
out spiritual  or  civil  courts  established  by  law — without 
a  conclave  of  bishops  or  convocation  of  clergy — without 
legalized  creeds  or  formularies  of  worship— without  a 
ministry  supported  by  law,  or  any  human  coercion — in 
discipline  they  are  so  far  united  in  sentiment,  respecting 
ihe  New  Testament,  that  a  free  correspondence  and 
communion  circulate  among  them.  "They  have  no 
king,  (on  earth,)  yet  go  they  forth  all  of  them  by  bands: 
The  Bible  is  the  only  confession  of  faith  they  dare 
adopt— the  final  umpire  they  appeal  unto  for  a  decision  of 
controversies." 

After  an  interval  of  four  years^  we  again  find  a  copy 


L  E  MU  EL     COVELL. 


29 


of  their  Minutes,  dated  1798.  Tlie  statistics  of  this 
year  are,  churches,  forty-seven,  ministers,  twenty-eight, 
communicants,  three  thousand  four  hundred  sixty.  This 
was  probably  the  third  time  Mr.  Covell  had  attended 
with  his  ministering  brethren  in  their  associated  capacity. 
He  still  watched  over  his  beloved  flock  in  Providence, 
and  was  still  returned  by  them  lo  the  Association  as  their 
member  and  minister,  though  he  had  removed  his  resi- 
dence, and  ordinarily  preached  in  Milton,  a  town  some 
few  miles  north.  Though  he  must  have  been  a  junior 
among  his  brethren  at  this  time,  still  we  find  him  ap- 
pointed on  various  committees,  and  the  writer  of  the 
Circular  Letter.    It  is  here  inserted  verbatim  and  entire. 

"Beloved  Brethren  .-—Among  the  many  subjects  that 
excite  our  attention,  the  necessity  of  gospel  discipline 
in  a  church,  claims  high  rank.  No  society  can  stand 
long  without  certain  rules  of  decorum,  which  being 
broken,  subject  the  delinquent  to  certain  penalties.  Jesus 
Christ,  the  king  of  Zion,  and  lawgiver  to  his  people,  has 
ordained  rules  and  precepts,  by  which  all  our  conduct  as 
christians  or  churches  ought  to  be  regulated,  and  which 
when  broken  reduce  the  transgressor,  if  remaining  in- 
corrigible, to  an  exclusion  from  fellowship.  The  design 
of  Christ's  discipline  is,  not  to  dissolve,  but  to  perpetuate 
the  union  of  his  saints.  The  grand  basis  of  their  union 
is  the  love  of  God  in  their  souls,  which  flows  from  the 
glorious  fountain  of  love,  the  great  Jehovah,  through  the 
adorable  Mediator,  by  the  agency  of  the  Holy  Spirit- 
Hence  their  fellowship  is  with  the  Father,  and  with  the 
Son,  and  one  with  another.  Brethren  thus  united  have 
a  fervent  desire  lo  maintain  thai  union.  When  their 
hearts  are  burning  with  that  love,  they  need  but  liltle 
reproof  from  one  another.  Each  one  will  discipline 
himself.  But  alas,  shall  we  speak  il?  facts  demonstrate 
the  melancholy  truthj  that  the  children  of  God,  whom 


I'M  , 


m  i  II 


30 


MEMOIR     OF 


he  has  nourished  and  brought  up,  rebel  against  him. — 
They  back-slide  from  iheir  God,  lose  their  first  love,  and 
transgress  the  commands  of  Jesus.    Then  the  discipline 
of  the  gospel  becomes  necessary,  first  to  reclaim  the 
back-slider  from  the  error  of  his  way,  save  the  lost  sheep, 
restore  the  soul  that  has  sinned,  and  hide  ihe  multitude 
of  sins.    As  discipline  should  be  administered  justly  and 
in  season,  so  it  should  be  in  the  spirit  of  meekness,  love 
and  humility.    Much  time  and  labor  are  spent  in  vain, 
and  many  are  lost  by  a  church,  when  too  harsh  in  some 
instances,  and  too  favorable  in  others— too  precipitant 
with  one,  and  loo  indulgent  with  another.    But  when 
churches  are  exercised  with  as  just  motives,  and  as  much 
of  meekness  and  faithfulness  as  can  well  be  expected  in 
this  imperfect  state,  how  often  are  they  obliged  with  the 
knife  of  discipline  to  perform  gospel  amputation,  to  cut 
off  the  infected  member  to  prevent  the  mortification  of 
the  body.    If  a  church  neglects  to  withdraw  from  any 
brother  that  walks  disorderly,  and  not  according  to  the 
traditions  received  of  the  apostles,  such  church  virtually 
partakes  of  his  sins,  and  with  an  Achan  in  the  camp, 
the  Israelites  cannot  stand  before  their  enemies.    Sec- 
ondly, the   discipline  of  the  Gospel  is  to  be  used,  to 
evince  to  all  beholders,  that  the  saints  have  no  fellow- 
ship with  the  unfruitful  works  of  darkness,   and  that 
they  have  so  much  loyalty  to  the  Redeemer,  that  they 
will  not  walk  with  any  who  live  in  the  breach  of  his 
commands,  although  in  these  respects  they  are  as  dear 
to  them  as  a  right  hand,  a  foot,  or  a  right  eye.    Neither 
are  those  members  who  have  removed  their  residence 
and  not  their  membership,  to  think  themselves  out  of  the 
reach  of  discipline,  nor  the  churches  where  such  mem- 
bers live,  to  think  themselves  excused  from  using  faith- 
fulness with  such    members, — for,   the  nature  of  the 
christian  economy  dictates  that  the  finishing  stroke  of 
discipline  should  be  executed  by  the  church,  where  their 


LEMUEL     CO  VELL. 


31 


membership  is,  but  that  the  labor  should  begin  by  the 
persons  who  have  knowledge  of  the  crime.    We  conceive 
that  members  of  churches  (if  circumstances  concur) 
should  remove  their  membership  with  their  residence- 
otherwtse  they  grow  careless  and  negligent,  and  often 
sinful,  and  thereby  the  cause  which  theyprofess  to  love 
IS  brought  into  disgrace;  and  should  not  churches  be 
as  particularly  watchful  oyer  the  members  of  anothe 
church  who  reside  among  them,  a,  if  they  were  Their 
own  members  in  every  ceremonious  form?    It  is  bv  the 
just  discipline  of  the  Gospel,  that  the  dignity  and  au  hor 
tly  of  the  church  appears,  her  spiritual  health  is  pre- 
served    many  of  the  cavil,  of  her  enemies  are  repefled 
in  embryo,  and  the  union,  strength,  peace  and  fell  wsh  p 
of  her  members  is  greatly  increased.    We  also  add  2 
we  believe  much  of  the  leanness  of  soul,  coldness  and 
barrenness  of  mind,  which  so  much  pre^il  at  present 
among  the  children  of  God,  is  owing  to  the  warn  of  due 
attention  to  the  law,  of  Christ.    Hear  what  He    ays 

a  LTwirL'T  ™^' '";  -"'  "^-P  "^  'vords,  and  my 
lather  will  love  him,  and  we  will  come  and  take  ud  onr 
abode  with  hm."    The  intended  limits  of    his  let™ 
forbid  us  to  enlarge.  ' 

Froin  the  foregoing  hints,  dear  brethren,    you   may 
e  rn  how  necessary  and  useful  it  is,  to  pay  a  sS 

umversally  observed  among  the  churches,  then  would 
Zion  appear  beautiful  as  Tirzah,  comely  as  JerusTw, 
and  terrible  as  an  army  with  banne""    We  ,h.    r' 
recommend  it  to  you  to  be  constant  fnyourltyfrKn 
and  impartial  in  discinlino   « e  •  ^'  '"'"iful 

the  Lord  »    '  An ,   "'P''"^' , .  '^^'"ont  ">  spirit,  serving 
hat  thp:  '"  '"'"'  "Sl>'  ^0  sl'ine  before  men 

that  they  may  see  your  good  works,  and  glorify  you; 
Father  who  is  in  heaven  "    «  R,«,i        T    S' ,  "'  y*" 

Fthra^^dxr^--^--^^^^^^^^^^ 

you  all,  amen!"'^  '^'""""""'"'  "'  '"«  "oly  Ghost  be  with 


i 


32 


MEMOI  R     OF 


\i>  < 


Nothing  had  as  yet  been  done  by  the  Association  as  a 
body,  in  the  cause  of  Missions,  fuilher  than  to  supply 
by  appointment,  the  shepherdless  flocks  within  their  ov^n 
boundary.  To  do  this,  made  nearly  every  minister,  m 
his  turn,  somewhat  a  missionary.  It  is  delightful  to 
contemplate  the  self-sacrificing  spirit  of  the  churches 
of  that  period— so  willingly  manifesting  their  neighborly 
love— so  ready  to  listen  to  the  Macedonian  cry,  "  come 
over  and  help  us." 

Their  own  territory  was  scarcely  yet  reclaimed  from 

the  condition  of  Missionary  ground,  but  will  not  those 

who  have  the  love  of  God  shed  abroad  in  their  own 

bosoms,  long  to  see  the  blessed  flame  spread  from  heart 

to  heart,  from  land  to  land,  from  sea  to  sea,  till  the  whole 

earth  shall  be  filled  with  the  glory  of  God?    Several  of 

the  Elders  spent  much  time  in  visiting  places  destitute 

of  the  preached  word,   thus   comforting  the   scattered 

sheep  of  the  wilderness,  and  sowing  the  good  seed  of 

the  kingdom.    Mr.  Covell  was  one  of  those  who  thus 

went  about  doing  good.    Whether  it  would  be  right  to 

claim  for  him,  that  he   "  labored  more  abundantly  than 

they  all,"  I  leave.    This  is  known  that  he  labored  much 

—that  he  sought  not  his  own,  but  the  things  that  were 

of  God.    No  man  could  be  more  affectionate  as  a  bus 

band,  more  kind  and  judicious  as  a  parent,  or  more  care 

ful  to  "provide  things  honest  in  the  sight  of  all  men  ' 

Still  the  cause  of  his  Redeemer  was  paramount  to  every 

other  consideration,  and  he  was  never  so  happy  as  when 

employed  about  his  master's  business.    Seeking  "first 

the  kingdom  of  heaven  and  its  righteousness,"  he  felt  a 

confidence  that  all  things  needful  would  be  added  thereto, 

not  altogether  in  the  way  of  salary,  however—  for  his 

people  were  unable  to  do  much  for  him— but  he  looked 

for  a  blessing  upon  the  labor  of  his  hands;  nor  did  he 

bok  in  vain.    By  school  teaching,  and  some  manual 

labor,  together  with  what  he  received  occasionally  for 


n 


>  » 


LEMUEL     COVELL. 


33 


preaching,  he  obtained   a  comfortable   livelihood.     He 
had  "obtained  favor  of  the  Lord,"  in  the  gift  of  a  com- 
panion who  "did  him  good  and  not  evil  all  the  days  of 
his  life."    He  took  unwearied  pains  in  the  instruction  of 
his  owm  children,  and  counted  sacrifice  and  toil  a  pleas- 
ure, to  promote  the  cause  of  education  generally.    What- 
ever of  learning  he  had,  he  had  sought  for  as  for  hid 
treasure;  of  course  he   knew  its   value,   and  regretted 
only  that  he  was  obliged  to  desist  from  continued  research. 
During  this  year,  of  178S,  he  was  invited  to  the  pas- 
torate of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Pittstown,  Rensse- 
laer county.    He  accepted  the  call,  rijoved  his  family  and 
commenced  his  labors,  about  the  beginning  of  the  year 
1799.    Here  was  labor  sufficient  for  one  man,  but  the 
small  and  recently  formed  church  in  Troy,  being  desti- 
tute, he  preached  with  them  one-fourth  of  the  time  that 
year.    Troy  was  not  then  what  it  now  is,  a  large,  popu- 
lous, wealthy  city,  with  its  many  seminaries  of  learning 
and  numerous  edifices  of  public  worship;  and  Baptists 
there  and  then  were  few  indeed.    But  it  pleased  God  to 
smile  upon  the  labors  of  his  servant,  and  pour  out  his 
holy  spirit  upon  this  small  but  enterprizing  community 
and  several   were   added   to   the  church.     The   people 
became  much  attached  to  him,  and  one  youn^  lady  a 
school  teacher,  Miss  Sally  Brown,  to  express  her  grati- 
tude to  her  father  in  the  gospel,  as  she  considered  Mr 
Covell  to  be,  proposed  taking  his  eldest  daughter,  then  in 
her  eighth  year,  into  her  school  that  summer,  and  her  step- 
father, Mr.  Rice,    one  of  a  respectable  mercantile  firm 
offered  to  board  her  for  half  price.    As  Mr.  Covell  then 
lived  a  mile  and  a  half  from  any  school-house,  the  gen- 
erous offer  was  gratefully   accepted.    Other  tokens  of 
respect  were  also  shown  to  both  parent  and  child.    This 
circumstance  is  mentioned,  partly  in  gratitude  to  God  for 
any  opportunity  for  intellectual  improvemeut,  and  partly 


34 


MEMOIR     or 


not  to  seem  forgetful  of  past  favors.    "  Bless  the  Lord> 
0  my  soul,  and  forget  not  all  his  benefits." 

As  has  been  said,  Mr.  Covell  removed  to  Pittstown, 
not  far  from  ihe  beginning  of  1799.  His  first  charge,  in 
Providence,  about  fifty  miles  distant,  still  remained  "as 
sheep  having  no  shepherd,"  and  by  appointment  of  the 
Association,  it  was  his  lot  to  re-visit  them  in  February. 
Accordingly  he  went,  fulfilled  his  appointment,  and 
proceeded  onward  some  sixty  miles  or  more,  further 
west,  preaching,  as  he  went,  the  unsearchable  riches  of 
Christ.  In  the  Minutes  of  the  Association  of  June 
following,  among  other  appointments  for  Mr.  Covell  we 
find  the  following: 

"  Article  12.  The  Circular  Letter  was  called  for  and 
read,  but  not  giving  general  satisfaction.  Elders  Leland 
and  Covell,  were  appointed  to  prepare  one.' '  Elder  L-'- 
land  having  been  previously  appointed  to  write  to  a 
sister  Association,  declined.  So  we  find,  "article  17,  tha 
Circular  prepared  by  Elder  Covell^  was  read  and  ap- 
proved."   We  insert  it  verbatim. 

"  The  Elders  and  Brethren  of  the  Shaftsbury  Associa- 
tion, holden  ai  Stephentown,  the  5th  and  6th  of  June 
1789,  to  the  churches  they  represent,  stnd  greeting! 

Dear  Brethren: — By  the  good  hand  of  our  God  upon  us, 
we  have  been  preserved  another  year,  and  have  had 
another  social  interview  together.  The  good  news, 
which  we  have  received  from  several  of  the  churches 
of  our  union,  has  had  the  cordial  effect  upon  our  hearts, 
that  cold  water  has  upon  the  poor,  weary,  thirsty  trav- 
eller. It  is  matter  of  consolation  to  us,  that  the  kingdom 
of  the  despised  Nazarene  is  flourishing  in  any  part  of 
our  apostate  world.  0  that  we  might  see  a  more  gen- 
eral display  of  the  all-conquering  power  of  sovereign 
grace,  in  the  conversion  of  sinners  throughout  the  habit- 
able parts  of  the  earth.    In  short,  our  souls,  we  trust,  are 


LEMUE  L    no VELL  , 


35 


longing  to  see  the  final  downfall  of  antichrist's  kingdom, 
and  to  see  the  kingdom  of  Prince  Emanuel  extended  to 
earth's  remotest  bounds.  We  have  however  had  the 
melancholy  news  from  some  of  our  churches,  that  it  is  a 
time  of  declension  among  them,  but  we  would  encour- 
age those  "who  sit  in  darkness,  and  have  no  light,  to 
trust  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and  stay  upon  their  God." 

Dear  brethren,  while  your  souls  are  flaming  with  holy 
emotions,  in  seeing  and  feeling  the  glorious  work  of 
Jehovah,  and  while  our  hearts  are  enraptured  with  the 
joyful  tidings,  permit  us  as  those  who  wish  to  watch  for 
ihe  good  of  your  souls,  as  well  as  for  the  honor  of  our 
Master,  to  suggest  a  few  thoughts  upon  the  importance 
of  maintaining  a  close  milk  with  God,  while  sojourn- 
ing here  below. 

And  first,  as  the  efiects  of  true  religion  in  the  heart 
are  real  and  unfeigned  love  to  the  divine  character,  and 
the  most  voluntary  and  cordial  attachment  to  the  dear 
Redeemer  and  his  cause  in  this  sinning  world;  it  there- 
fore is  of  the  utmost  importance  that  we  act  in  every 
department  of  life  in  such  a  manner  as  to  demonstrate 
our  real  confidence  in  a  holy  God,  and  our  hearty  sub- 
mission to  his  government. 

Secondly,  there  is  no  way  that  we  can  evince  to  the 
saints  that  we  love  God,  and  consequently  no  way  that 
we  can  enjoy  their  fellowship,  unless  we  live  a  life 
devoted  to  the  practice  of  religion.  "  By  their  fruits  ye 
shall  know  them.  Men  do  not  gather  grapes  of  thorns, 
nor  figs  of  thistles."  Therefore  if  we  would  rejoice  the 
hearts  of  the  righteous,  and  enjoy  their  fellowship,  we 
must  live  our  religion. 

Thirdly,  we  cannot  demonstrate  to  an  opposing  world 
the  realities  of  religion,  unless  we  adhere  strictly  to  the 
great  duties  of  "doing  justly,  loving  mercy,  and  walking 
iiumbly  with  God."    When  professors  of  religion  grow 

3* 


aa 


MEMOIR    or 


i'i 


I'l 


remiss  ia  their  duty,  instead  of  putting  to  silence  the 
ignorance  of  loolish  men,  they  weaken  the  hands  and 
sadden  the  hearts  of  all  God's  faithful  children.  But 
the  wound  thus  inflicted  aflects  no  class  so  much,  per- 
haps, as  the  ministers  of  the  Gospel.  How  can  a  minis- 
ter hxjld  up  his  head  before  an  ungodly  race  of  infidels, 
who  deny  the  blessed  truths  of  the  Gospel  and  say 
religion  is  nothing  but  a  mere  trick  of  slate,  a  holy  fraud, 
peculiar  to  the  sacerdotal  robe,  invented  and  improved  to 
get  money,  and  to  indulge  themselves  in  idleness;  while 
he  sees  those  who  profess  to  believe  in  religion,  and 
boast  of  high  attainments  therein,  living  in  sin,  in  the 
neglect  of  duty,  and  in  direct  opposition  to  what  he  feels 
constrained  to  declare  to  them  from  the  pulpit.  How 
must  a  faithful  preacher  feel  when  declaring  from  the 
pulpit  those  awful  truths  which  cause  infernal  spirits  to 
tremble,  to  see  numbers  in  the  assembly  making  derision, 
and  knowing  that  the  objects  of  their  levity  are  sitting  in 
his  presence  in  the  character  of  brethren  in  the  Lord, 
their  lives  and  conversation  bespeaking  them  the  "lovers 
of  this  present  world,  more  than  lovers  of  God."  O, 
how  painful  must  a  sight  like  this  be,  to  a  true  minister 
of  Jesus  Christ,  and  yet  we  fear  many  of  them  behold 
at  times  the  heart-rending  spectacle.  And  we  really 
fear  that  much  of  the  leanness  and  want  of  success  in 
preaching,  complained  of  by  ministers,  and  much  of  the 
coldness  and  declension  complained  of  by  our  churches,  is 
owing  to  the  want  of  maintaining  a  close  wa,lk  with 
(iod. 

Fourthly,  our  own  comfort  will  be  diminished  in  pro- 
portion as  v/e  backslide.  It  is  "  the  willing  and  obedient 
soul"  who  has  the  promise  of  "eating  the  good  of  the 
land."  Hear  what  the  life  of  truth  says,  "If  any  man 
love  me  he  will  keep  my  words,  and  my  father  will  love 
him,  and  we  will  come  and  take  up  oUr  abode  wiih  him." 


f 


:f 


rfta 


LEMUEL     GOV  ELL 


37 


O,  what  words  art-  these— the  triune  God  dwelling  with 
a  poor  breathing  parti-  !e  on  this  terrestrial  globe. 

The  example  and  testimony  of       ihe  primitive  saints 
prove  that  the  happiness  of  the  soul  is  inseparably  con- 
nected with  obedience  to  God;  and  the  experieace  of 
every  true  christian  corroborates  the  importcnt  truth.— 
From  the  few  hints  suggested,  you  may  see,  dear  breth- 
ren, of  how  much  importance  it  is  that  we  not  only 
profess  but  live  religion.    God,  who  has  set  his  glory 
above  the  heavens,  requires  us  "toglorifv  him  in  our 
bodies  and  spirits  which  are  his."    He  also  in  infinite 
wisdom  has  so  connected  our  happiness  with  our  duty, 
that  while  We  are  acting  with  the  purest  motives  for  the 
glory  of  God,  we  are  at  the  same  time  pursuing  our  own 
happiness.    O,  the.i  let  us  quit  ourselves  like^'men—be 
strong  in  the  Lord,  and  in  the  power  of  his  might.    Let 
us  take  to  ourselves  the  whole  armor  of  God,  that  we 
may  be  able  to  stand  against  all  the  wiles  of  the  devil. 
Let  us  remember  that  the  honor  of  the  cause  which  we 
profess  to  love  is  deeply  interested  in  our  living  our 
religion.    Let  us  evince  to  the  world  that  the  glorious 
work  of  which  we  are  making  our  boast  in  the  Lord  is 
indeed  the  work  of  God. 

We  have  seen  the  enemy  in  some  good  measure 
baffled,  and  his  forces  somewhat  scattered.  But  remem- 
ber, brethren,  the  Canaaniles  are  not  all  dead.  There 
are  many  of  them  yet  lurking  not  only  around,  but 
within  us.  The  devil  will  rally  his  legions  again,  and 
perhaps  Incredibility  at  the  head  of  them.  Tho'  satan 
may  continue  sullen  awhile,  yet  like  a  wild  bull  in  a 
net,  he  will  again  rave  and  rage.  By  and  by  your  lusts 
^ill  rise,  your  pride  will  swell,  and  temptations  will 
pour  upon  you  like  a  torrent.  We  do  not  say  these 
things  to  damp  the  joyful,  pious  feelings  of  your  hearts, 

•put  tbof  vnn    ninu    ronri'^m^a**   iK«»*    -oto-    4--- -     » 


38 


MEMOIR     OF 


you  that  he  may  sift  you  as  wheat,  and  that  the  rtmem- 
brance  thereof  may  make  you  watch  and  pray  j  and 
above  all,  look  to  the  great  Captain  of  your  salvaiion.— 
Be  diffident  in  yourselves,  and  dependent  on  God.  Keep 
humble.  Walk  softly  and  be  patient.  And  may  the 
God  of  all  grace  stablish  you,  and  build  you  up  in  every 
good  word  and  work.— Amen." 


LEMUEL     COVfiLL, 


39 


CHAPTER    11; 

la  October  of  this  year,  (1799,)  Mr.  Covell  was  called 
.0  agomzc  throush  a  trial,  that  probed  his  heart  to  the 
core  It  was  the  murder  of  his  mother  by  her  third 
husband.  He  had  long  feared  the  event  wo-ld  ensZ 
and  had  several  years  been  solicitous  for  her  to  leave  he 
own  home  m  Mapletown,  about  fourteen  miles  distant 
and  come  and  live  with  him.  'He  had  at  last  obtained 
her  consent,  and  the  day  was  named  when  she  should 
eave  her  demomac*  husband  and  trusuo  the  protection 
of  a  beloved  son.  But  on.  aniving  at  the  place  of  her 
residence,  he  found  the  house  ailed  with  people,  and  hi 
mother  a  murdered,  mangled  corpse.  !'«''"""»« 

Let  no  pen  attempt  to  describe  the  agonizing  horrors 
of  that  soul  wringing  moment.  What  he  greafly  fird 
WahTu'ch"",?  ^™.  and  it  bowed  him  to  the  ear    1 

was  reTtor^H  f      I '"""'  *""  ^y^P""-'"?  «ends,  he 
was  restored  from  frequent  faintings  through  the  dav 

andm  three  days  was  able  to  take  his  place  with  the 
nat'u^  to  wirhrnd'  "  ''""  '''""''  "''  '"''''  ""^'^^'^ 


lio*£dTnf  hpfn'^    "">.''  °,"?«  ^«^"  ^  ««PtJ3t  preacher,  but 

3;nge?ou8  ^He  "  .«l'"fr'';  ^'"^  become  profane,  i?rascible- and 
.._"=  r°"^-  "e  was  a  fearful  examnle  of  what  1»  i.  «n  k-  -:--!: 
«F  ^«  «.Q  unre  warned  domimon  of  ail  the  veoieful  p"aaeio,i«. ""'" 


40 


MEMOIR    OP 


lit 


As  It  respected  the  temper  of  mind  with  which  he 
bore  the  stunning  blow,  the  christian  triumphed,  even  to 
feeling  the  spirit  of  forgiveness   toward  his  diabolical 
step-father.    But  as  a  man  he  sank.    His  health  failed 
he  grew  moody,  absent-minded,  prone  to  reverie,  answer- 
ing questions  as  though  he  heard  them  not,  and  finally 
became  ravingly  delirious.    A  fever  ensued,  and  his  l^fe 
_  was  m  peril  many  days.     During  this  sickness,  in  mo- 
ments of  slumber,  he  would  be  audibly  conversing  with 
his  mother,  and  entreating  to  go  with  her,  as  though  that 
was  his  all-absorbing  feeling.    In  a  kw  weeks  he  was 
measurably  restored  to  health,  but  he  never  entirely 
recovered  from  the  violence  of  the  shock. 

He  was  now  situated  about  twenty  miles  distant  from 
Shaftsbury,  and  after  his  recovery  from  this  exhaustin^r 
sickness,  in  company  with  one  of  his  deacons,  Mr.  John 
Rouse,  he  re-visited  this  the  place  of  his  former  resi- 
dence, and  the  scenes  of  his  youthful  hilarities.    His 
former  friends  welcomed  him  to  their  houses,  and  throng- 
ed to  hear  him  preach.    He  had  indeed  become  a  preache'r, 
but  not  «a  great  Presbyterian  preacher,"  as  he  predicted' 
but  a  humble  uiember  of  the  sect  which  had  formerly 
been  so  much  "spoken  against."    A  friend  and  youni^er 
brother  in  the  ministry  with  Mr.  Covell  thus  describes 
one  of  Mr.  Covell's  sermons  during  that  visit: 

"It  was,"  says  he,  "at  an  evening  meeting,  and 
la  the  same  neighborhood  where  he  had  formerly 
lived.  The  words  of  the  text  were,  "Which  doeth 
great  things."~Job,  ix,  part  of  lOih  verse.  He  com- 
menced the  discussion  by  showing  what  great  things 
God  had  done  in  the  works  of  creation.  What  greater, 
m  the  grand  work  of  redemption.  What  great  things 
God  had  done  for  z^  as  a  nation.  What  great  things  he 
had  done  for  individuals.  And  what,  great  things  God 
had  done  for  him.    Yes,  said  he,  Covell  has  found  whac 


LEMUEL   COVELL.  ^j 

great  things  God  can  do  for  the  ^n.,]      a  r 
.«a  I  was  We  a.o„,  ,o,  I'^Miel  7r;:r; 
man,  urging  my  way  downward  wiih  fearVnl  „;J?  ^ 
Bu,i,ha.h  pleased  God  ,o  make  bare  ,h' aTon7 
salvation   n  my  behalf  anH  r..n  °^  ^"^ 

■he  burning,  l^l'Z'a^ZV.'T'  T 
living  witness,  a  happy  believer  andb.  T  '"■"'S'"' ' 
.he  great  .ru.hs  I  on'ce'  dej^  J  2Tc\  TT''  "' 
great  things  for  me  of  late  A  ftw  w^  y  ■  ""*  "'""' 
was  suffering  the  horrors  of  d.l  .     """'  *"■" 

bed  ofpain'and  Z^s  ButT""d'".'  ''"^'"'^  "^  » 
hath  rebuked  the  dis^!:  ■resltfmV:e  's^rdr  ^ 
n-e  once  more  ,o  enjoy  the  rich  blessing  of  belnlcSS 
and  ,n  my  right  mind."  He  then  closed  wta^^ilf 
exiiortation  to  comp  an^i  c««     u  meltings 

in  store  for  thosT:  e  ,t  '^«i:  ^"'"f  ^^^  ^^^ 

venerable  narrator*  -onZf  th  T''     '^^'  '^^ 

I  evrer  attended    \i  '  ""^'^  '^^'"^'^  "^^^^in^s 

In  the  spring  succeeding,  he  removed  from  his  then 

<^  H   ye;r  n^^^^^^^  ^^^^^  AssocLon 

year,  (isoo,)  the  following  article; 


*The  Rev.  Isaiah  Mnf 


ff^iinvt 


42 


MEMOIR     OF 


1 1 


|i     m 


i  'if  1 


"Article  13.  On  motion  of  Eiders  Webb  and  Covell, 
voted  to  recommend  to  the  churches,  to  lend  some  as- 
sistance to  the  Baptist  church  in  the  village  of  Troy, 
towards  building  a  house  for  divine  worship.  When 
we  consider  that  their  number  at  present  is  small,  and 
consists  mostly  of  females,  there  being  not  more  than 
two  or  three  males  who  can  advance  anything  towards 
such  an  undertaking,  and  at  the  same  time  considering 
that  there  is  a  favorable  prospect  of  their  society's  in- 
creasing, if  they  have  a  suitable  place  to  meet  in,  and 
have  preaching  most  or  all  of  the  time — which  they 
might  have  if  they  had  a  house — together  with  the  im- 
portance of  having  the  cause  of  religion  built  up  in  that 
place,  we  flatter  ourselves  that  oul*  churches  will  come 
forward  with  promptitude,  and  contribute  liberally  for  so 
noble  a  purpose.  Would  it  not  be  well  for  each  church 
to  circulate  a  subscription  paper  in  their  own  vicinity, 
and  let  people  subscribe  lumber,  money,  or  any  kind  of 
produce  saleable  in  market,  and  deliver  it  to  Mr.  Silas 
Covell  in  Troy,  by  the  first  of  January  next?" 

At  this  session,  Mr.  Covell  preached  before  the  Asso- 
ciation from  this  text:  "For  to  one  is  given,  by  the 
spirit,  the  word  of  wisdom,  to  another  the  word  of  knowl- 
edge by  the  same  spirit,  to  another  faith  by  the  same 
spirit."  As  usual  he  received  several  appointments  to 
visit  other  Associations  and  destitute  and  distant  church- 
es, also  to  prepare  the  Corresponding  Letter  for  the  next 
year,  and  to  superintend  the  printing  of  the  Minutes. 

There  was  no  signal  shower  of  divine  grace  among 
his  own  people,  yet  the  Great  Head  of  the  church  did 
not  leave  his  servant  without  witness  of  his  approbation 
at  home.  The  order  of  God's  house  was  maintained, 
and  souls  were  occasionally  being  born  into  the  kingdom 
of  God,  and  coming  forward  to  confess  Christ  before 
men.    At  one  of  these  baptismal  seasons,  it  was  Mr. 


p<i»^ 


LEM  UEL     CO  VELL. 


43 


CovelPs  privilege  to  wait  upon  the  wife  of  his  bosont 
mio  the  emblematic  grave,  and  to  present  her  the'ri^ht 
hand  of  fellowship  as  a  sister  with  him  in  the  church 
and  m  the  hope  and  fellowship  of  the  Gospel.  Though 
the  solemnities  of  the  occasion  are  well  recollected  it  is 
deemed  needless  to  give  either  comment  or  descript'ion 

The  tenement  he  rented  this  year  was  merely  a  small 
house  and  garden,  far  too  small  to  satisfy  the  feelings  of 
one  who  sought  not  his  own  accommodation  merely,  bu>t 
delighted  to  make  ample  provision  for  family,  kindred 
friends,  and  acquaintance.    Accordingly  he  purchased  a 
larger  house  and  small  farm,  and  commenced  occupying 
the  next  spring,  (1801.)    He  also  commenced  working 
at  his  trade,  and  was  going  prosperously  on.    His  rep.^ 
tation  as  a  blacksmith  soon  became  first  rate,  and  his 
punctuality  proverbial.    But  to  maintain  this,  he  had  to 
make  large  exactions  upon  the  hours  allotted  to  sleep,  and 
labor  long,  when  his  already  wearied  system  needed  repose. 
The  next  session  of  the  Association  was  held  at 
Galway,  and  he  by  appointment  re-visited  and  preached 
10  his  beloved  first  flock,  the  Sabbath  before  the  session 
As  usual  we  will  make  some  extracts  from  their  Minutes. 
"Article  16.  Inasmuch  as  our  beloved  brethren,  Elder 
Joseph  Craw,  and  Elder  Samuel  Rogers  have  manifested 
an  intention  to  travel  abroad  in  the  rourse  of  the  present 

IZ:  Z  t"  ^T'  "^  '^'^'^"^  ""^^  P^^^^^^'^S  in  distant 
parts  of  the  wilderness,  therefore  this  Association  do- 
hereby  certify  that  they  are  ministers  of  good  report,  in 
good  standing  with  us,  and  go  forth  in  our  fellowship; 
and  as  such  we  recommend  them  to  the  favorable  notice 
and  encouragement  of  all  good  people,  wherever  they 

k  ngdom  of  God.  And  we  sincerely  pray,  that  a  divine 
blessing  may  attend  their  labors,  and  crown  them  with 
Huunaant  success." 


44 


*IEM  OIR    OP 


This  article  is  transcribed  into  our  pages   for  two 
reasons.    B'irst,  as  a  key  to  show  the  state  of  society  in 
the  then  "wesV^    As  is  common  in  new  countries,  there 
were  adventurers  of  various    characters.    Among   the 
diversity  were  some  who  were  a  disgrace  and  annoyance 
to  their  species—impostors  in  the  garb  of  preachers  of 
the  Gospel— wolves  in  sheep's  clothing.    Of  course  the 
people  had  become  suspicious  of  strangers,  and  it  was 
needful  that  the  man  of  character  should  be  furnished 
with  undoubted  credentials  of  his  good  standing.  Second, 
Mr.  Covell  being  Clerk  of  the  Association,  and  the  one 
as  usual  to  prepare  the  Minutes  for  publication,  the 
article  was  entirely  from  his  pen,  and  is  one  among 
many  instances  to  show  that  he  had  nothing  of  that 
spirit  about  him  which  makes  men  unwilling  that  good 
should  be  done  by  any  hands  but  their  own,  or  that  any 
but  themselves  should  have  the  name  and  the  praise  of 
doing  well.  Send,  Lord,  by  whom  thou  wilt  send,  was  the 
uniform  language  of  his  heart.    The  subject  of  missions 
was  taking  deeper  and  deeper  root  in  his  heart.    Hith- 
erto short  journeys  and  short  visits  were  all  that  had 
been  found  practicable.    He  felt  that  a  more  systematic 
course  of  operation  was  needed.    There  was  one  brother, 
the  Rev.  Abijali  Peck,  with  whom  he  privately  com- 
muned on  the  subject;  and  we  find  the  12th  article  of 
the  same  Minutes  (1801,)  on  this  wise:    «  A  proposition 
was  made  by  brother  Covell  for  raising  a  fund  by  contri- 
bution, for  the  purpose  of  sending  missionaries  to  preach 
the  Gospel  in  destitute  parts  of  our  frontier  settlements, 
and  as  far  as  we  may  have  opportunity  among  the  na- 
tives   of   the    wilderness.    After   deliberating    largely 
thereon,  the  Association  unanimously  voted  to  recom- 
mend to  the  churches  to  take  it  into  mature  considera- 
tion, and  those  who  are  disposed  to  adoj)!  so  benevolent 
4  plan,  to  signify  it  in  their  letters  at  our  mxt  session  i 


LEMUEL     COVELL. 


45. 


and  likewise  to  make  a  liberal  eontribulion  and  send  it 
forward  at  the  same  time  to  begin  siirl  fnJ.   I 
.r«,.din,he  hands  of  such  .Zj^^     tltl 
theAssocUon  may  appoi„.  ,<,  „ceive  ,ho    ame   and 
appropriate  it  to  the  above  use,  as  thev  shall  f      ' 
to  tin,e  .hint  proper,  and  to  c™.rihu,e  ann  'a, t^ Z 
ame,  uH  the  churehes  so  contributing  shall  jU,ht 
have  sufficient  cause  .0  discontinue  such  con.ribuL  »  '^ 
Here   then   was  the  commencement  of    vs  elti- 
Missionary  effort  in  this  section  of  the  B^mL,   1  • 

a.ion-or  raiher  this  was  the  fi  s  step  'wardlr.r 
.ntroducing  of  the  holy  leaven,  which  w  rde'ti  ed  to 
send  the  bread  of  life  to  npri^hinn.  *u  "«s"nea  to 

names  of  Covell  and  pick  mavlM""''"''''  """  "'" 
rolled  among  other  ve;::able  m!  n^r  h'?' "";■ 
the  origin  of  American  Baptist  Hoi  LlZ'""""'  "' 

Agreeably  to  the  appointment  of  the  prpced  n,,  „„. 
he  wrote  the  Corresponding  Letter  for  thfs  sels  of  W 
transcribe  nearly  all.  ' '"is  session.    We 

"  ne  Shaftshury  Asmciation,  to  the  several 

^'""'^t'onawithw/umwecorrewond- 
Are  you  m  health  dear  brethren?    We  .rusTwr^ 
no.  ask  you  this  question  with  the  perfidl, tUVa" 
murderous  Joab,  with  the  fatal  daWer  inhi.T^A    i 
with  th,  glowing  affection  of  .eX::etw-\r:: 
nendship  m  our  hearts.    Inasmuch  as  our  co— d 
ence  logdly  proclaims  we  are  friends    n«m„        "^ 

time  to  offer  a  few  remarlr,  ,J,h,'  ^      "  "'  "  '"'^ 
feraarics  on  the  nature  nmi  o^^^*     c 

Chrutian  Friemhhip.    I,  is  not  xIhLT/£      f 
which  inclines  the  rich  in  .his  world  ,0 ,  otwith   ff  ";  .' 

employ  as  instruments^  nor  that  sp|fi.h  i:  -    ,    ^l'^'^^' 


46 


MEMOI  R     OF 


^P 


■m 


bestows  gifts  with  the  sole  design  of  effecting  its  own 
purposes.    It  is  not  that  party  spirit  which  circumscribes 
itself  to  those  of  its  own  cast;  nor  that  contracted  spirit 
which  delights  only  in  those  of  its  own  family.    It  is 
not  that  versatile  spirit  which  is  easily  attracted  by  new 
objects,  but  can  retain  no  lasting  attachment  to  any ;  nor 
is  it  that  blind,  bigoted  spirit  which  never  discovers  any 
imperfection  in  the  object  of  its  delight,  and  therefore 
maintains  an  obstinate  attachment,  supported  merely  by 
predilection  J  but  that  friendship  which  is  the  subject  of 
this  letter;  is  that  divine  principle  which,  by  assimilating 
our  souls  to  the  great  eternal  source  of  all  true  friend- 
ship, knits  and  cements  them  in  the  most  indissoluble 
union.    This  is  undoubtedly  what  the  apostle  means  by 
the  unity  of  the  spirit :  Eph.  iv,  3— by  the  fellowship  of 
the  spirit:  Philip,  ii,  1— and  by  that  oneness  by  which 
Christ  is  all  and  in  all :  Col.  iii,  11— but  more  particu- 
larly that  charity  delineated  m  1  Cor.  xiii.    To  trace 
this  glorious  principle  to  its  exalted  source,  is  a  work  at 
once  pleasing,  interesting  and  sublime.    In  this  delight- 
ful stretch  of  contemplation,  we  have  the  infallible  word 
for  our  guide.    Let  us  listen  a  moment  to  its  language. 
"  The  Lord  possessed  me  in  the  beginning  of  his  way, 
before  his  works  of  old.    I  was  set  up  from  everlasting, 
or  ever  the  earth  was.    Then  was  I  before  him  as  one 
brought  up  with  him.     And  I  was  daily  his  delight, 
rejoicing  always  before  him,  rejoicing  in  the  habitable 
parts  of  his  earth,  and  my  delights  were  with  the  sons 
of  men."    "  And  now  Father  glorify  thou  me  with  the 
glory  which  I  had  with  thee  before  the  world  was.    As 
thou  Father  art  in  me,  and  I  in  thee." 

Here  we  have  the  most  interesting  description  of  true 
friendship,  and  are  led  to  see  that  its  true  source  is  in 
the  ever-blessed  God,  and  therefore  its  nature  is  heaven- 
ly and  divine.       ******* 


LEMDEL     CO  VELl. 


47 


Having  thus  by  tracing  this  lieavenly  stream  to  its  sonree 
dtscoyered  us  nature,  let  us  for  a  moment  .ura  on 
atteolion  to  its  L  essed  eiTecls.        •        *       *        » 

The  effects  of  divine  friendship  are,  a  complete  rscon- 
cil.at.on  to  God,  produced  in  the  hearts  of  the  most 
obdurate  and  rebellious  sinners,  by  the  powerful  operation 
o<  divine  love  shed  abroad  in  their  hearts  by  his  holv 
spirit  by  which  that  enmity  of  heart  is  removed,  by 
wh,ch  they  were  opposed  to  God  and  his  law.  and  full 
of  malice  and  hatred  one  against  another.  Their  beins 
united  in  the  delightful  bonds  of  love  and  fellowship 
and  mutually  engaged  to  promote  each  other's  good,  and 
that  holy  communion  with  God  and  his  people,  which 
ever,  chr.st.an  enjoys  in  a  greater  or  smaLr  degree  _ 

the  rebel  into  a  loyal  and  faithful  subject,  the  alien  and 
stranger  mto  a  child,  and  the  foreigner  into  a  fellow 
citizen.  It  causes  the  sinner  to  love  the  things  he  once 
hated  and  to  hate  the  things  he  once  loved.  It  constrains 
Its  subjects  to  „n.te  all  their  efforts  to  build  up  and  main- 
tain the  visible  cause  of  God  in  the  midst  of  a  sinnin. 
world;  and  to  comfort,  encourage  .and  edify  one  anoTef 
in  those  things  which  pertain  to  his  kingdom.  Hence 
we  see,  dear  brethren,  that  cAristian  friendship  is  the 
same  m  nature  with  that  love  which  dwelt  in  the  bosom 
of  the  Father  towards  his  only  and  beloved  son  and 
.s  transmitted  through  him  to  his  people,  his  brde  who 

see  that  It  is  the  same  spirit  of  union  by  which  the 
Messed  Immanuel  dwelt  in  the  bosom  of  the  Fathe 
before  h.s  works  of  old,  and  was  daily  his  delight.    ThI 
by  which  the  Lord  Jesus  dwells  in  his  peopl  ,  and  h  s 
Father  in  him-that  by  which  they  are  made  perfect  iu 

wm.    Th.5,  dear  brethren,  is  that  three-fold  cord  which 


48 


MEMOIR     OF 


neither  life  nor  death  can  dissolve.  This  is  ihat  imraul 
able,  all  powerful  principle,  which  in  its  progress  hath 
run  through  all  the  divine  dispensations,  and  effected  all 
its  beneficent  purposes  in  defiance  of  all  opposition. 

****** 

Let  us  then,  dear  brethren,  unite  our  efforts  to  culti- 
vate union  and  harmony,  while  we  are  pas&ing  through 
this  vale  of  tears,  till  we  arrive  in  that  upper  and  better 
world,  where  Divine  friendship  reigns,  in  all  its  unfad- 
ing glory,  and  sheds  its  benign  infiuences  on  all  those 
happy  millions  who  surround  the  throne  of  God  and  the 
Lamb  forever. 

■v. 

With  the  utmost  pleasure,  we  receive  your  messen- 
gers and  friendly  letters,  from  year  lo  year,  and  we 
smcerely  desire  to  continue  our  correspondence  with  you 
We  refer  you  to  our  Minutes  for  an  account  of  the  al- 
terations that  have  taken  place  since  our  last,  and  the 
present  situation  of  our  churches. 

Finally,  brethren,  farewell.  Be  perfect,  be  of  good 
comfort.,  be  of  one  mind,  live  in  peace,  and  the  God  of 
love  and  peace  shall  be  with  you,  which  is  the  sincere 
desire  and  earnest  prayer  of  your  affectionate  brethren 
m  the  bonds  and  fellowship  of  the  Gospel. 
By  order  of  the  Association, 

Caleb  Blood,  Moderator, 
Lemuel  Covell,  Clerk:^ 

1802.   The  next  anniversary  of  the  Association  was 

held  at  Pittstown,  with  Mr.  CovelPs  church.    As  usual 

lie  wnc  clerk  and  publisher  of  the  Minutes.    The  body 

consisted,  at  this  time,,  of  44  churches,  34  ministers, 

4220  communicants.    Extracts  from  the  Minutes  run 
thus: 

*' Article  6.  The  Circular  Letter  having  failed,  brother 
i^ovell  was  appointed  to  prepare  one,  and  present  it  to- 
morrow. 


our  messen^ 


LEMUELCOVELL.  49 

7.    The  proposition  for  contributing  to  the  support  of 
a  preached  gospel  in  the  destitute  parts  of  the  wilderness 
recommended   to  the  consideration  of  the  churches  in 
our  last  year's  Minutes,  was  taken  into  consideration: 
and  as  several  of  the  cliurches  have  certified  their  appro- 
bation, and  sent  forward  money  to  carry  the  same  into 
eflfect,  and  as  some  of  the  churches  seem  in  suspense  for 
want  of  sufficient  knowledge  of  the  plan  by  which  the 
application  of  the  money  is  to  be  regulated,  therefore 
appointed  brethren  Blood,  Hull,  Warren  and  Barnes  a 
committee  to  prepare  a  plan  for  that  purpose,  and  present 
It  beiore  tne  Association  rises. 

10  Brother  Coveli  who  was  appointed  to  prepare  a 
Circular  Letter,  and  the  committee  appointed  to  prepare 
apian  for  the  regulation  of  the  missionary  contribution, 
presented  a  plan  with  the  necessary  introduction,  and 
requested  that  it  might  be  printed  in  place,  of  a  Circular 
—which  was  agreed  to. 

The  Letter  and  Plan, 
The  elders  and  brethren,  met  in  Association,  at  Pitts- 
town,  June  2  and  3,  1802,  to  the  churches  which  thev 
represent,  send  greeting: 

Beloved  Brethren:-^ln  our  last  year's  Minutes,  we 
recommended  to  you  a  proposition  for  raising  money  hv 
annual  contribution,  for  the  support  of  the  gospel  in 
destitute  parts  of  the  wilderness^  and  whereas,  some  of 
the  cnurches  have  manifested  their  approbation  and  sent 
forward  their  liberality,  while  others  seem  in  suspense, 
and  call  for  further  information  as  to  the  desi-n  of  such 
contribution,  and  tne  rules  by  which  it  is  to  be  conducted. 
We  therefore  think  it  our  duly  at  this   time  to  give  you 
a  particular  statement  of  the  design  of  said  contribution, 
■ind  the  rules  by  which  the  application  of  it  is  to  be 
regulated     And,  1st.    The  design  of  the  proposition  is, 
10  place  things  in  sunh  a  «i'fnnt;r,n  o^  ♦ li_  .i  .  * 


60 


MEMOIR    OF 


ciation  to  send  able  and  faithful  ministers  to  preach  the 
gospel,  and  endeavor  to  build  up  the  visible  cause  of  the 
Redeemer  in  such  parts  of  tiie  United  Slates  or  the 
Canadas,  as  are  destitute  of  gospel  privileges,  and  as  lar 
as  they  can  have  access  among  the  natives  of  the  wil- 
derness. 2.  The  design  is  to  prevent,  as  far  as  possible, 
the  prevalence  of  imposture  in  those  parts  of  the  world, 
and  for  the  better  accomplishing  of  these  purposes,  the 
business  is  to  be  regulated  by  the  following 

PLAN. 

Ist.  A  committee  of  twelve  brethren,  six  ministers 
and  six  other  brethren,  shall  be  annually  chosen,  so  long 
as  the  Association  shall  judge  it  expedient  to  send  out 
missionaries,  which  committee  shall  have  a  Chairman, 
Clerk  and  Treasurer,  of  their  number,  who  shall  be 
chosen  at  their  first  meeting  after  their  election.  A  ma- 
jority of  said  committee  shall  be  a  quorum  to  transact 
business. 

2d.  The  duty  of  the  Committee  shall  be  first,  to  take 
charge  of  the  contributions  made  by  the  churches  for  the 
assistance  of  the  missionaries.  Secondly,  they  shall 
faithfully  examine  all  candidates  for  the  mission,  and 
recommend  such,  and  only  such,  as  they  judge  to  be 
pious,  able,  judicious  and  experienced  ministers  of  the 
gospel.  Thirdly.  When  the  committee  recommend  a 
missionary,  they  shall  determine  the  time  of  his  mission, 
and  the  places  where  the  duties  thereof  shall  be  per- 
formed, which  shall  be  in  new  settlements  in  the  United 
States,  or  the  Cann  Jas,  where  ihe  inhabitant  re  desti- 
tute of  a  preached  gospel,  and  cannot  obtain  it.  The 
missionaries  shall  keep  a  fair  account  of  their  expenses, 
during  their  mission,  and  make  due  returns  to  the  com- 
mittee of  the  same,  together  with  a  journal  of  their 
travels.  If  more  money  have  been  furnished  to  ^hem 
than  they  have  found  necessity  for,  they  shall  return  the 
same  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  committee ;  but  if  the  sum 


LEMUEL     COVELL. 


01 


*ivanced  has  not  been  sufficient  to  defi;ay  their  necessary 
expenses,  such  deficiency  shall  be  made  up  to  them,  if 
the  state  of  the  funds  will  admit.    Fourthly.    The  com- 
mittee shall  furnish  each  missionary  with  such  sum  out 
of  the  treasury,  as  they  shall  judge  sufficient  to  bear  his 
expenses  during  his  tour,  and  no  more,  unless  the  special 
circumstances  of  the  missionary    require    some    extra 
consideration,-in  which  case  they  shall  have  a  ri^'ht  to 
act  discretionary.    Fifthly.    The  Treasurer  shall  iTeep  a 
particular  account  of  all  the  sums  contributed,  and  of  all 
monies  disbursed.    And  the  Clerk  shall  keep  fair  records 
of  the  proceedings  of  the  committee,   both  of  which 
shall  be  annually  exhibited  to  the  Association,  and  pub- 
lished  in  their  Minutes,  for  the  satisfaction  of  the  church- 
es.   Sixthly.     The  committee  shall   have   no  fee   nor 
reward  for  their  services.    Listly,  this  Association  shall 
have  a  right  to  alter  any  of  these  articles,  or  make  such 
new  ones,  at  any  of  theii-  annual  meetings,  as  time  and 
experience  shall  point  out  to  be  for  the  better.    And  any 
church  disposed  to  contribute  shall  have  a  right  tc  dis- 
continue their  contributions  at  any  time  (hey  may  think 
proper,  upon  giving  the  reasons  of  their  so  doing. 

Thus,  dear  brethren,  we  '  .  M  before  you,  our 
design  and  the  rules  we  mean  to  observe  in  prosecuting 
the  saiiicj  and  we  must  use  the  freedom  to  beseech  you"*, 
with  united  hearts  and  iiands,  to  step  forwaru  in  support 
of  the  glorious  kingdom  of  the  blessed  Immanuel. 

We  beseech  you,  brethren,  ye  know  the  grace  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Chri  r,  that  though  he  Avas  rich,  vet  for  your 
sakes  he  became  poor,  that  ye  through  his  poverty  miir' t 
be  made  rich.  O  let  it  never  be  said,  that  those  who 
have  been  made  partakers  of  the  infinite  benevolence  of 
the  dear  Redeemer,  should  have  so  little  regard  for  him, 
as  to  grudge   to  pan  with  a  little  of  their  property  in 

SUDDOrt  of  his;    pancp        O    p^-i^iim!    --^--j t      ■«* 

.-  —  ^.,     ..»,  vtitiiuiai  cwvctuuaauss:     r»iay 


4* 


3»  EM  0  I  R 


OF 


the  Lord  deliver  ys  from  it.  Finally,  let  us  all  unite  our 
efforts,  both  at  home  and  abroad,  with  our  gifts  and  our 
property,  to  propagate  the  truth  and  build  up  the  cause  of 
religion  in  a  sinning  world.  And  may  the  Author  of 
all  true  benevolence,  so  instruct  and  influence  our  hearts, 
that  we  may  be  willing  to  spend  and  be  spent  in  his 
cause.  And  may  his  holy  spirit  crown  our  feeble  efforts 
with  abundant  success,  to  the  praise  and  glory  of  his 
grace,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord." 

"11th.  Pursuant  to  the  first  article  of  said  plan,  the 
following  brethren  were  chosen  a  committee  for  the 
purposes  therein  mentioned,  viz:  Elders  Peck,  Blood, 
Webb,  Hull,  Craw  and  Covsll,— and  Deacons  Rouse, 
Matteson,  Brewster,  Carpenter,  Green  and  Stillwell." 

Note  at  the  close  of  the  Minutes. 
"  The  Cominittee  appointed  to  superintend  the  mis- 
sionary contributions,  beg  leave  hereby  to  inform  the 
churches  and  all  good  people  who  may  be  disposed  to 
contribute  for  so  laudable  a  purpose,  that  they  have 
appointed  deacon  John  Rouse  of  Pittstown,  their  Treas- 
urer, to  receive  such  contributions,  and  keep  a  true 
account  of  the  same.  This  will  be  published  in  our 
Minutes,  next  year;  therefore,  if  any  churches,  or  indi- 
viduals, on  seeing  our  plan,  should  feel  disposed  to 
contribute  for  its  encouragement,  they  can  convey  the 
money  to  him,  at  any  time  hereafter,  and  he  will  give 
proper  credit  for  the  same.  And  said  committee  further 
beg  leave  to  recommend  to  all  who  feel  interested  in  the 
upbuilding  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom,  to  cast  in  their 
mites  to  promote  the  same.  This  committee  have  ap- 
pointed to  meet  at  brother  Faring  Wilson's,  in  West 
Stockbridge,  the  day  before  the  next  meeting  of  the 
Association,  at  1  o'clock  P.  M.,  for  the  purpose  of  re- 
ceiving the  returns  of  missionaries,  the  accounts  of  the 


LEMUEL     COVBLL. 


53 


Clerk  and  Treasurer,  the  contributions,  and  of  making 
out  their  report  to  the  Association. 

By  order  of  the  Committee, 

Caleb  Blood,  Moderator. 
Lemuel  Covell,  Clerk.'''' 

Elder  Blood  of  Shaftsbury  volunteered  to  go  as  a 
missionary,  a  few  weeks,  his  ministering  brethren  mean 
while  supplying  his  pulpit,  so  that  his  peopk  need  suffer 
no  more  tnaa  their '  equal  share  of  privation.    This  was 

the  i:ule  adopted  and  followed  out  by  the  Association  L 
all  similar  cases. 


►♦►©^SH**- 


CHAPTER    III. 

^^nif.'^  n'^  "^^"^PA"!  Embarrassment;  Brotherly-kind- 
ness;  Doings  of  the  Anniversarv  of  l^in^     li-    i^ 

Delightful  indeed  would  be  the  task  of  tracing  the 
curse  of  those  whom  God  hath  called  to  minister  t 
i-oly  thmgs,  were  they  never  found  engaged  in  any  ser 

tie  earth  earthy,  and  sometimes  they  find,  or  deem  they  find 
occasion  to  be  occupied  with  earthly  interests.  Thev 
Have  the  same  passions  as  other  men-  and  c„m..:„.: 
»ioop  to  the  common  ambition  of  seeking  earthlytreas- 


A. 


54 


MEMOIR     OF 


ure.     These  passions  of  the  human  heart,  opaque  in 
their  nature,  or  having  become  so  by  defilement  of  sin, 
if  not  kept  in  subjection  by  that  principle  which  makes 
us,  to  the  full  extent  of  the  command,  "seek  first  the 
kingdom  of  heaven  and  its  righteousness,"  rise  up,  and 
as  they  gain  the  ascendency,  exclude  from  our  view  the 
superior  advantages  of  relying  solely  on  the  promise  of 
God.     The  preacher  is  also  man.    The  love  oi  family 
is  in  him,  to  say  nothing  of  the  love  of  gain.    In  com- 
mon with  others  he  is  a  pilgrim  on  the  earth,  and  must 
gain  subsistence  for  himself  and  those  dependent  upon 
him,  as  he  passes  along.     Fie  is  journeying  to  the  celes- 
tial city,  and  his   direct  course  lies  through  the  valley  of 
humiliation.    But  ranging  along  in  close  proximity  the 
mountain    of    care   presents   to  his  view,    multitudes, 
traversing  its  elevated  paths,  and   ascending  its  lofty 
eminences.    All  are  eager  to  secure,  as  they  pass,  the 
varied  and  tempting  inducements  of  the  way.    He  sees 
many  succeed,  accumulate  treasure,  and  provide  for  their 
heirs  with  the  fruits  of  their  labor.    He,  too,  is  templed 
to  try.    He  commences,  toils,  ascends,  surmounts  un- 
looked  for  obstacles,  and  urges  on  his  arduous  way,  in 
spite  of  all  impediments.    But  in  all  his  anxious  prog 
ress,  he  finds  with  pain,  "  't  was  distance  lent  enchantment 
to  the  view,"  and  hid  tne  thorns  and  roughnesses.    No 
conscious  approbation  of  his  God  and  king  sustains  him 
in  his  dark  foreboding  hours,  or  gives  him  solace  in  per- 
plexity  and   fatigue.    But  an   inward  voice  is  heard, 
saying,  "who  haih  required  this  at  your  hand?"    Have 
I  not  said  that  they  which  minister  at  the  altar,  shall 
live  of  the  things  of  the  altar?    Therefore,  take  no  tho't 
for  your  life,  what  ye  shall  eat,  or  what  ye  shall  drink, 
nor  yet  for  your  body  what  ye  shall  put  on.    Do  not  I 
know  that  ye  have  need  of  all  these  things?    "Seek  ye 
first  the  kingdom  of  heaven  and  its  righteousness,  and 


W'V 


LEMUEL  COVELL. 


65 


>us  way,  m 


all  these  things  shall  be  added  unto  you."  Struck  with 
the  rebuke  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  he  sees,  he  feels  the  folly 
and  ingratitude  of  his  course,  and  covered  with  wounds 
and  bruises,  he  penitently  returns  to  the  path  of  under- 
standing, seeks  the  balm  in  Gilead,  and  is  healed  of  his 
hurt,  finding  the  truth  of  his  master's  saying,  "in  the 
world  ye  shall  have  tribulation  but  in  me  ye  shall  have 
peace." 

Mr.  Covell  soon  found  by  experiment,  that  the  com- 
plicated   burthen  of  farming,    blacksmithing,    pastoral 
duty,  frequent  and  imperious  calls  from  various  distances, 
more  than  he  was  able  to  sustain.     Something  must  be 
sacrificed,  but  that  something  must  not  be  his  devoted- 
ness  to  the  cause  of  his  beloved  Savior.    The  la^iguage 
of  his  heart  was,  "  If  I  forget  thee  O  Jerusalem,  let  my 
right  hand  forget  her  cunning.    If  I  do  not  remember 
thee,  let  my  *     ^;ue  cleave  to  the  roof  of  my  mouth,  if  I 
prefer  not         sJem  above  my  chief  joy."    Hitherto  he 
had  labored  at  his  anvil  alone,  but  now,  he  built  a  larger 
shop,  hired  a  head  workman,  with  others  to  assist  him 
and  thus  measurably  released  himself  from  ")     ^  ies  of 
the  forge.    But  from  that  date  his  prosperity  dsclined.— 
Though  his  business  was  enlarged,  and  his  credit  in- 
creasing, still  the  eye  of  the  master  was  necessarily 
much  of  the  time  wanting  among  his  concerns,  and  the 
consequence  was,  business  was  not  conducted  with  that 
correctness,  economy  and  faithfulness,  requisite  to  make 
it  profitable.     By  this  mechanical  department  of  his 
operations,  he  eventually  suifered  much  loss. 

During  this  period  of  worldly  care,  his  sympathies,  as 
a  brother,  were  again  called  forth  by  the  affliction  of  a 
beloved  [half]  sister.  Like  him  she  had  been  deeply 
stricken  by  the  manner  of  their  dear  mother's  death, 
and  her  surcharged  spirit  had  drooped  like  the  flowers  of 
the  field.    She  had  just  begun  to  revive  from  the  long 


S6 


MEMOIR    OP 


melancholy,— had  been  recently  married,  and  was  look- 
ing forward  with  rational  ground  of  hope,  when  suddenly 
her  prospects  were  darkened,  her  hopes  buried  in  the 
grave,  by  the  drowning  of  her  husband  in  the  waters  of 
Hoosic  River.  Mr.  Covell  immediately  rode  up  to 
Mapletown,  attended  the  funeral,  and  adjusted  the  affairs 
of  his  deceased  brother-in-law,  and  brought  his  bereaved 
sister  to  his  own  house.  There,  in  the  bosom  of  his 
family,  she  found  a  welcome  and  a  home,  until  in  after 
years  she  was  married  the  second  time.  Indeed  his 
house  was  ever  the  home  of  his  brethren,  his  kindred 
according  to  the  flesh. 

1803.  The  next  session  of  the  Association  was  at- 
tended at  West-Stockbridge,  Berkshire  Co.  Massachu- 
setts. Article  7th  of  their  Minutes: — "The  committee 
charged  with  the  missionary  concerns  reported,  that 
during  the  year  past,  ^34,93  had  been  contributed.  That 
they  had  employed  Elder  Blood  in  a  mission  of  ten 
weeks,  through  the  country  from  Cayuga  to  the  head  of 
Lake  Ontario.  That  he  had  received  )j$30,  and  expended 
but  ^22,34  on  his  said  mission.  That  he  had  made  a 
particular  and  circumstantial  report  of  his  travels  and 
labors,  and  the  apparent  hope  of  doing  good,  by  sending 
missionaries  into  those  parts.  Prom  which  the  commit- 
tee conclude  there  is  ample  encouragement  to  continue 
our  exertions  to  spread  light  and  truth  in  the  infant  set- 
tlements of  our  States,  and  among  the  poor  savages. — 
Voted  that  this  Association  do  cordially  approve  of  the 
doings  of  our  said  committee,  and  of  the  labors  of  our 
beloved  brother  Blood,  and  do  heartily  concur  with  them 
in  opinion  respecting  further  exertions  of  the  same  kind. 

Resolved,  Tlint  brother  Blood  be  allowed  to  retain 
the  balance  remaining  in  his  hands  of  the  money  he 
received  of  the  committee. 

Resolved,  That  this  Association  will  continue  to  do 
ail  in  iheir  power  to  encourage  the  raisfeionary  business, 


LEMUEL     C  0 VE  LL. 


57 


and  for  this  purpose  appoint  Elders  Peck,  Blood,  Webb 
Hull,  Craw,  and  Covell,— Deacons  Rouse,  Curtis,  Mat' 
teson,  Coman,  Upham,  and  brother  Jacob  Ford,  a  com- 
miitee  to  superintend  the  missionary  concerns  for  the 
present  year. 

Article  16.  Query  from  the  4th  church  in  Shaftsbury: 
Is  it  just  and  equal,  to  fix  it  as  an  article  in  the  plan  of 
sending  missionaries,  that  they  shall  bear  all  the  burden 
of  their  missions,  except  the  unavoidable  expenses  of 
travelling? 

Resolved  That  for  the  future  we  will  leave  it  to  the 
discretion  of  the  committee,  to  allow  the  missionary  such 
compensation  for  liis  services  as  thev  shall  think  proper 
and  report  to  the  Association  annually  for  their  satisfac- 
tion—anything in  our  plan  or  constitution  to  the  contrarv 
notwithstanding.  ' 

In  this,  as  in  every  session  of  the  Association,  much 
was  required  at  the  hand  of  Mr.  Covell,  and  various 
were  the  appointments  he   was  called  to  accept.    Ke 
was  still  clerk  of  the  missionary  committee,  and  of  the 
Association,  and  continued  to  be  so,  so  long  as  he  lived. 
Preparing  the  Minutes  for  publication  and  forwarding 
them  to  the  churches,  also  uniformly  devolved  upon  him. 
We  gather  still  further  from  the  Minutes.    And  first,  by 
counting  the  accredited  sums  v/hich  the  churches  sent  in 
to  the  mission   fund  this  year,  we  find  ,'$78,94.     The 
committee  in  their  report,  speak  only  of  what  they  had 
received  up  to  the  lime  of  this  convening  of  the  Associ- 
ation.   Of  course  what  was  now  remitted  by  the  various 
delegates  would  be  included  in  the  report  of  next  year. 
Light  was  breaking  in,  churches  were  awakening  to  a 
sense  of  their  responsibilities,  and  beginning  to  respond 
to  the  sentiment,  "Pray  ye  therefore  the  Lord  of  the 
harvest,  to  send  forth  more  laborers  into  his  harvest."— 
Elder  Covell  and  Elder  Warren  were  now  selected,  or 
,.,„,.,_^aj  iQ  icavu  ail  iQi  v^urisi  5  sake,  ana  go 


58 


MEMOIR     OF 


fonh  bearing  the  word  of  life  to  those  who  sat  in  the 
region  and  shadow  of  death. 

Article  20.  Voted,  That  our  next  meeting  be  at  the 
Baptist  meeting-house  in  Clifton  Park.  Appointed 
brother  Covell  to  preach  the  introductory  sermon,  and  in 
case  of  his  failure,  brother  Hull.  The  Missionary  Com- 
mittee are  to  meet  at  Elder  Peck's,  the  day  before  the 
meeting  of  the  Association. 

23.  Voted  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ayer  and  his  congregation 
the  thanks  of  this  Association,  for  the  use  of  their  meet- 
ing-house, and  other  expressions  of  politeness  at  this 
session.  Appointed  Elders  Worden,  Blood,  Covell  and 
brother  J.  Ford,  a  committee  to  wait  on  Mr.  Ayer  and 
present  the  same. 

On  the  23d  of  August,  Mr.  Covell  commenced  his 
contemplated  tour.  Deep  must  have  been  the  love  he 
bore  his  Savior,  and  strong  the  desires  he  felt,  that  the 
new  settlements  should  be  crowned  with  altars  to  the 
living  God,  or  he  could  not  thus  have  voluntarily  fore- 
gone so  much  that  makes  life  dear  to  man.  By  leaving 
his  business  he  must  suifer  pecuniary  loss;  a  companion 
justly  endeared  to  him,  was  in  precarious  health;  his 
children  standing  in  daily  need  of  his  instruction  and 
care;  his  people  warmly  attached  to  him,  esteeming  no 
preaching  equal  to  his  own,  with  many  other  considera- 
tions of  usefulness,  all  conspiring  to  retain  his  feelings, 
and  secure  his  presence  at  home.  But  what  is  even 
home,  wife,  children,  business,  friends  or  personal  con- 
venience, to  one  whose  soul  is  filled  with  burning  desire 
to  proclaim  the  riches  of  God's  free  grace  to  a  perishing 
world?  He  confided  all  these  endearing  interests  to  the 
care  of  that  Redeemer  whose  grace  had  torched  his 
heart,  and  whose  providence  had  called  him  to  go  far 
hence  unto  the  Gentiles.  Cheerful  was  his  obedience  to 
the  heavenly  vision.    The  term  of  his  appointment  w^,% 


LEMUEL     COVELL. 


59- 


l.m.ted  to  three  months,  and  after  having  visited  the 
xtent  of  the  tour  proposed,  he  set  hi.  face  for  home ; 
but  finding  on  h,s  return  route,  calls  and  work  that  he 
deemed  u  a  duty  not  to  leave  unattended  to,  ho  pro! 
longed  his  m,ss.on  to  upwards  of  four  months.    On  the 
evenmg  0    Friday,  ,|,e  last  of  December,  he  arrived  a! 
home^    The  Sabbath  following  was  an  intense  7  od 
day,  but  the  news  of  his  arrival  had  somewhat  spread 
and  considering  the  severity  of  the  weather,  many  at- 
tended the  meeting  for  public  worship.    He  gave  a  suc- 
cinct account  of  his  (our  and  success,  and  at  the  close  of 
the  usual  exercises,  he  remarked,   that  possibly  some 
m,gh   be  suffering  from  the  inclemency  of  the  weather, 
and  he  would  give  opportunity  for  any  to  retire  tha 
wished  to    but  ,f  any  felt  disposed  to  remain  for  the 
purpose  of  hearing  an  Indian  song,  cold  as  he  was  him- 
self, he  would  endeavor  to  give  them  one  he  had  found 
m  his  absence.    Not  an  individual  left  the  house,  and  he 
sang  in  a  clear  and  thrilling  tone, 

THE  TRU..„p„s„,.   OR^CE  In'tHE  WILDERNESS  » 

From  realms  where  the  day  her  first  dawnings  extends, 

The  Son  of  the  gospel,  in  glory  ascends ! 

Ye  forests  attend,  while  your  children  combine 

In  accents  unusual,  in  transports  divine. 

Involved  in  uncertainly,  darkness  and  death, 

The  clouds  of  destruction  hung  over  our  path, 

mi  yon  rising  splendor  enlightened  our  way 

And  pointed  our  steps  to  the  regions  of  day. ' 

A  council,  on  high,  has  been  held,  to  enquire 

For  help  for  mankind;  and  peace  kindled  the  fire 

Provision  is  made  for  the  nations  distress'd  • 

And  with  IhejjcUreasure,  all  lands  shall  be  bless'd 


.W.  opinion  .eWroi,eo„s;we„„„Mirhap";J",'„l;lfo'f,!!ro,.d: 


60 


MEMOIR     OF 


The  chain  of  salvation,  lei  down  from  above, 
Cemented  by  justice,  and  brightened  by  love: 
The  safety  of  hope,  the  conductor  of  grace, 
Joins  heaven  and  earth  in  its  mighty  embrace. 

On  high  see  our  Jesus,  the  penitent's  friend, 
With  banners  of  mercy,  compassionate  bend; 
Inviting  the  wretched,  rebellious  and  vile, 
From  ruin  to  flee,  and  repose  in  his  smile. 

The  Prince  of  Salvation  is  coming,  prepare 
A  way  in  the  desert,  his  blessings  to  share: 
He  comes  to  relieve  us  from  sins  and  from  woes, 
And  bid  the  dark  wilderness  bu  '  like  the  rose. 

His  reign  shall  extend  from  the  east  to  the  west, 
Compose  all  the  tumults  of  nature  to  rest. 
The  day-spring  of  glory  illumines  the  skies. 
And  ages  on  ages  of  happiness  rise. 

The  brute-hearted  tempers  of  men  shall  grow  tame, 
The  wolf  and  the  lion  lie  down  with  the  lamb; 
The  bear  with  the  kine  shall  contentedly  feed, 
While  children  their  young  ones,  in  harmony  lead. 

The  serpent  shall  dart  all  his  venom  in  vain, 
The  rattle-snake,  harmless,  shall  bask  on  the  ]>laia : 
The  infant  shall  play  on  the  hole  of  the  asp. 
And,  smiling,  the  folds  of  the  cockatrice  grasp. 

jVo  more  shall  the  sound  of  the  war-whoop  be  heard, 
The  ambush  and  slaughter,  no  longer  be  fear'd; 
The  tomahawk,  buried,  shall  rust  in  the  ground, 
While  peace  and  good  will  to  the  nations  abound. 

All  spirit  of  war,  to  the  gospel  shall  bow, 
The  bow  lie,  unstrung,  at  the  tail  of  the  plough ; 
To  prune  the  young  orchards,  the  spear  shall  be  bent ; 
And  love  greet  the  world  with  a  smile  of  content. 


LEMUELCOVELL.  ^l 

Slight  tinctures  of  skia  shall  no  longer  engage, 
The  fury  of  jealousy,  murder  and  rage ; 
The  white  and  the  red  shall,  in  friendship  be  join'd, 
Wide  spreading  benevolence  over  mankind. 

Hail!  scene  of  felicity,  transport  and  joy! 
Where  sin  and  vexation  shall  scarcely  annoy  : 
Rich  blessings  of  grace,  from  above,  shall  be  giv'n, 
And  life  only  serve  for  a  passage  to  heav'n  ! 

Roll  forward,  dear  Savior,  roll  forward  the  day, 
When  all  shall  submit  and  rejoice  in  thy  sway  : 
When  Avhite  men  and  Indians,  united  in  praise, 
One  vast  hallelujah,  triumphant,  shall  raise! 

As  the  news  of  his  return  circulated,  people  poured  in. 
from  all  directions.    Some  to  see  a  beloved  friend  and 
pastor,  they  had  feared,  from  his  protracted  absence,  was 
lost  to  them  forever.    Some  to  learn  the  success  of  the 
lioly  enterprizej  and  some  to  look  upon  a  man  that  had 
performed  such  a  wondrous  journey,--and  what  to  some 
seemed  more  wondrous  still,  that  he  had  been  in  the 
midst  of  the  Indians,   and  had  returned  unharmed.— 
While  the  tide  of  congratulation  was  yet  flowing,  a  new 
occasion  of  rejoicing  occurred,— the  birth  of  a°son,  an 
only  son.    Much  solicitude  had  been  felt  on  this  subject 
by  many  of  Mr.  Covell's  friends.    Hitherto  his  children 
had  been  daughters.    Many  had  long  been  desirous  to 
see  one  in  the  likeness  of  their  beloved  pastor,  and  now 
that  dieir  wish  was  graiilied  their  joy  was  unbounded.— 
Neither  was  this  event  without  its  wonted  effect  on  Mr. 
Covell's  own  mind.    It  was  a  new  and  powerful  tie  to 
bind  him  to  the  earth,  and  perhaps  no  father  ever  more 
intensely  felt  the  endearing  fetters  twine  about  his  heart. 
But  still  the  christian  triumphed  over  the  man,  and  he 
still  held  himself  as  ready  to  do  the  bidding  of  his  Lord 
and  master  as  though  he  had  stood  lonelv  and  isolate  m 


^ 


MEMO  I R     OF 


all  the  earth.  To  leave  his  family  and  suffer  bis  business 
to  decline,  was  at  any  time  trying  to  bis  natural  feelings, 
but  he  felt  as  did  David,  that  he  would  not  sacrifice  to 
God  of  that  which  cost  him  nothing.  He  was  doubtless 
permitted  to  take  the  eagle's  wing,  and  from  some  exalted 
point  of  contemplation  to  survey  the  grand  scheme  of 
human  redemption  as  it  included  man  in  all  ages  and 
through  all  time.  With  the  solicirude  of  a  yearning 
heart,  he  glanced  his  eye  over  the  yet  ungathered  multi- 
tudes of  every  nation,  tribe  and  tongne  on  all  the  face  of 
the  earth.  And  O,  to  bear  some  humble  part  in  the 
agency  of  redeeming  these  precious  millions  to  God, 
was  worthy  any  sacrifice  in  his  power  to  make.  He 
who  had  said,  ^Heave  thy  fatherless  children,  /will  pre- 
serve them  alive,  and  let  your  widows  trust  in  me,"  had 
manifested  himself  a  covenant  keeping  God,  and  that 
was  sufficient  whenever  the  occasion  might  require. 

The  rolling  months  soon  brought  the  increasingly 
interesting  anniversary,  and  according  to  appointment 
Mr.  Covell  preached  the  introductory  sermon,  from  Prov. 
xxiv,  30—34:  "I  went  by  the  field  of  the  slothful,  and 
by  the  vineyard  of  the  man  void  of  understanding ;  and 
lo,  it  was  all  grown  over  with  thorns,  and  nettles  had 
covered  the  face  thereof,  and  the  stone  wall  thereof  was 
broken  down.  Then  I  saw  and  considered  it  well;  I 
looked  upon  it  and  received  instruction.  Yet  a  little 
sleep,  a  little  slumber,  a  little  folding  of  the  hands  to 
sleep:  So  shall  thy  poverty  come  as  one  that  travelleth; 
and  thy  want  as  an  armed  man." 

Article  8ih  of  the  Minutes  says,  "The  committee 
charged  with  missionary  affairs,  reported,  that  during  the 
year  past,  they  have  received  ninety-nine  dollars  and 
twenty-two  cents,  including  the  surplus  in  the  fund  at 
our  last  session— that  they  had  employed  brother  Warren 
of  Salem,  and  brother  Covell  of  Pittstown,  in  a  mission 


LEMUEL     GO  VE  LL. 


63 


ommittee 


through  the  western  country,  from  Cayuga  to  Long 
Point,  on  the  north  side  of  lake  Erie,  in  the  Province  of 
Upper  Canada.     That  bn)ther  Warren  had  spent  up- 
wards of  three,  and  brother  Covell  upwards  of  four 
months  on  said  mission,  for  which  the  committee  had 
voted  them  fifty  dollars  each.    That  brother  Covell  had 
made  a  particular  and    circumstantial  report  of  their 
travels  and  labors,  and  the  prospect  of  success  attending 
our  exertions  in  those  parts.    And  in  particular,  that  in 
the  town  of  Charlotteville,  at  Long  Point,  in  Upper 
Canada,  they  baptized  thirty  persons,  and  gave  them 
fellowship  as  a  church  in  sister  relai  jn,  and  that  the 
said  church  had  sent  a  letter  by  them  to  the  Association, 
desiring  to  be  received  into  their  connection,  and  to  be 
visited  by  their  ministers  as  often  as  possible,  and  that 
missionary  labors  may  be  continued  in  that  Province.— 
And  likewise,  that  a  very  large  number  of  the  inhabit- 
ants of  that  Province  had  sent  by  them  a  written  request 
that  a  permanent  mission  might  be  established  in  those 
pans.    And  furthermore,  that  there  is  great  appearance 
of  benefit  resulting  from  labors  of  missionaries  among 
the  savages,  especially,  the  Tuscarora  an    Seneca  tribes, 
where  brother  E.  Holmes  has  been  laboring  for  some 
time  with  a  good  degree  of  success,  and  that  the  chiefs 
of  the  Tuscarora  tribe  had  sent  by  them  a  friendly 
"talk"  in  wriiins,  to  the  Shaftsbury  Association,  thank- 
ing them  for  the  notice  they  had  taken  of  the  nations  of 
their  color,  and  expressing  their  wishes  for  further  in- 
struction.   From  all  which  the  Committee  unanimously 
conclude  that  the  prospect  of  advancing  the  Redeemer's 
kiagdom  in  those  portions  of  the  wilderness  is  greatly 
brightened  since  our  last  report,  and  therefore,  that  there 
is  not  only  additional  encouragement,  but  a  loud  call  for 
us  to  continue  and  increase  our  exertions  in  the  mission- 
ary business. 
Resolved,  unanimously,    That  this  Association  do 


I 

f. 


64 


MEMOIR     U  F 


cordially  approve  of  the  doings  of  our  committee,  and 
the  labors  o  our  brethren,  Warren  and  Covell,  as  report- 
ed, and  do  heartily  concur  with  them  in  opinion,  that 
Crod  in  his  providence,  is  loudly  calling  on  us  to  continue 
and  increase  our  exertions  for  the  iurther  promotion  of 
the  Crospel  la  those  parts. 

9.  Therefore  resolved,  That  we  will  do  all  in  our 
power  to  encourage  the  missionary  cause,  and  for  this 
purpose  wo  do  appoint  Elders  Pect,  Blood,  Webb,  Hull 
Craw,  and  Covell,  with  brethren.  Rouse,  Upham,  Daniel 
Kogers,  Hendrix,  Salmon  CI  ild,  and  Francis  Choat,  ii 
committee  to  superintend  the  missionary  business  the 
ensuing  year. 

10.  Called  on  brother  Covell  to  read  the  letter  from 
the  church  at  Long  Point,  and  the  talk,  from  the  chiefs 
of  the  Tuscaroras,  alluded  to  in  the  fore^^oing  report,  and 
a  speech  delivered  by  him  to  the  said  Indians,  which  he 
accordingly  did.   ; 

11.  Voted  to  comply  with  the  request,  of  the  church  at 
Long  Point,  by  receiving  them  into  our  connection,  to  be 
known  in  our  Minutes  by  the  name  of  the  Baptist  church 
of  Christ  at  Charlotteville.  It  was  also  thought  proper 
to  send  an  answir  to  the  talk  from  the  Tuscaroras.  and 
also  to  the  letter  from  the  church  at  Charlotteville,  and 
the  people  in  that  Province. 

The  amount  of  missionary  monies  sent  in  by  the 
churches  at  thi^  session,  together  with  some  donation ; 
on  the  spot  vvas  -"^QLOSi. 

The  committee  charged  with  missionary  aflliirs,  have 
agreed  to  invite  the  liberality  of  their  christian  friends 
and  the  public  generally,  for  the  encouragement  of  so 
noble  and  important  an  undertaking  as  that  of  spreadine- 
the  gospel,  and  inculcating  its  maxims  amonn-  the  poor 
natives  of  the  wilderness,  and  the  destitute  inhabitants 
of  inlant  settlements.  And  for  this  purpose  have  direct- 
ed their  Clerk  to  furnish  a  number  of  subscription  papers 
not  only  to  the  members  of  said  committee,  but  to  such 
other  brethren  or  gentlemen  as  may  feel  disposed  to 


LEMLEL    COVELL. 


65 


unite  their  efforfs  in  so  hmUJ 

see  .hat  whatever  monTe   „/      n""  ","''""''""?.  '"d  «> 

"on  paper,,  or  by  „r    1  V'"''"'"''' >■>' '"'=1' '"bscrip. 

commiilee,  on  or  before  il,„,r,  Treasurer  of  ihig 

«ee.i„,  Of  .ho  As,o^  i  r.  2:,";  "'";"'>"  •"«  -« 

>o  all  who  o.st  in  .heir  m  ,'erei,  "  h'"'^"  "  '"'^  S'^^» 
"°n  or  private  donation  1-,  '"d'  "'  °'  '"''"'^ 
ai-pointed  to  ti.cet  at  the  hon,„  !f  n  .'"""»'"ee  havo 
Hoosic  Fall,,  ,he  d.^  2e  ,L  ""■"  "^"""^  ^*'J-'» 
Association,  for  the  „ur„oV  7  °"'  '""''"'  "f  ^^e 

-  may  be' present  r:  ,„„:„?'.?=  ^•'"'' •'""'"•-n. 
Clerk  and  Treasurer, '  re"  ii„"Ltorf'  °' ""' 
r.es,  and  doing  wha.evor  ,„a;i-  ,?  ,  '  "^  •"'^»'''""- 
pursuance  of  the  duties  of  thdr  'ii-.T  "'""='"•!'  '"> 
By  order  of  the  C  .„','',««., 

for  the  consider!. i^^'/t'^::  ""'T  '""  ''^^"  '"f' 

"Article  17.  Took  „„  ,  ,„  "•"'  ""«'• 

ion  of  the  Assoc  a,  o,7a„    a?,"""""  7"'"'"'^  =>  <"-'»- 

Resolved,  Conside  i'„r,L    "  T""-  ""'""'"""n, 
es,  the  dist'ance  Ih    'nIaS   tu  rT''T°^™^'=''''""'. 
meetings,  the  vast  expense  „«":       ■,'''  '"  ""end  our 
great  a  number  in  one  p^E  and     "^  ""'  "^'^.""S  "f  so 
churches  have  expressed  a  wi'h  to  t  v."  ■',"."'""'''  "^  ">« 
fore  If  any  number  of  ,he  chur.l  ».      °  !  ''"'"''■'''.  'h"e- 
an  Association  by  the.n  elves  k.U  "'^  ''"P"'/''  'o  f"™ 
entyear,  and  giJe  notice  , he  If '- ""''"'  "^  ""  I"''- 
""7,"""-'=  «"' fellowship  in'odoiZ  "'"  """"S' 

vr:str„:u:s.::t.^'-'--™- 

on  the  formation  TX  '""'"''''  •"'  '"''^''""'S 

Hndson  River,  ^tb:  ^::772:!l7i:  t  "' 


66 


MEMOIR     OF 


next,  at  10  o'clock  A.  M.  Three  churches  were  added 
to  the  body  at  this  session,  the  one  at  Troy,  which  now 
numbered  forty-one,  with  Elder  Webb  for  their  pastor, 
the  one  at  Lansingburgh,  and  the  one  at  Charlotteville' 
Upper  Canada.  The  whole  number  was  now  forty- 
eight.    Their  ordained  ministers  were, 

James  Pettite,*  1  Canaan;  Elisha  Barns,  2  Canaan; 
Job  Champion,  Chatham;  Peter  Worden,  ]  Cheshire; 
John  Leland,*  Aaron  Seanier,*  Josiah  Godard,*   Seth 
Jones,*  2  Cheshire;   Asa   Todd,*   Chesterfield;   Jehial 
Fox,  Chester;   Abijah  Peck,   Clifton  Park;   Jeduthun 
Gray,  Great  Barrington;    Tiiomas  Purrinton,   Hadley ; 
Clark  Rogers,*  Hancock;  Amasa Brown,  Hartford;  Abel 
Brown.  East-Hillsdale;  Wm.   Throop,   Kingsborough 
Elisha  Langworthy,  Lansingburgh;  Hezekiah  Gorton 
Mayfield;  Joseph  Cornell,   Jonathan  Nichols,    Milton 
Elias  Lee,  Ballston  Springs ;  E.  Smith,  Partridgefield 
J.  H.  Ellice,  Northumberland;  L.  Covell,  1  Pittstown, 
S.  Huat,  2d  Pittstown;  J.  Finch,  Providence;  J.  Hart- 
well,   Sandisfield;    J.   Craw,   Saratoga;    S.   Olmstead, 
Schodack;  L  Matteson,  1st  Shaftsbury;  C.  Blood,  2d 
Shaftsbury;  Justus  Hull,  A.  Baker,  Berlin ;  Isaac  Webb 
Troy;  D.  Stark,  Williamstown. 

This  was  the  last  time  they  ever  all  assembled  as 
members  of  the  same  body.  The  proposed  convention 
at  Milton  was  attended,  and  another  at  Galvvay,  the 
January  following ;  the  results  of  which  were,  a  seceding 
of  several  churches  from  the  parent  body,  and  a  new 
organization,  called  the  Saratoga  Baptist  Association.-— 
All  the  churches  west  of  the  Hudson,  excepting  the  one 
at  Clifton  Park,  were  incorporated  into  the  new  body. 
At  their  first  session,  they  numbered  15  churches  and  8 
ministers.  Elder  Covell  and  several  other  ministers 
from  the  parent  body  met  with  them.  Elder  Covell 
preached  with  them  from  John  i,  17:  "For  the  law  was 

*  Those  v-ith  tliis  mark*  were  not  present. 


Chi 


l-E  MUEL     COVELL 


67 


gveny  Moses   b„,  jrace  and  iru.h  came  by  Jesus 
Ch„s."    He  reeeived  several  appointments  from  th  m 
.0  vrsu  other  Assocatrons  with  which  they  wished  to  op^i 
a  correspondence  and  finally  wasgratified  with  thefoW 
mg  vote,  recorded  in  the  15th  section  of  their  Minuter 

"Voted  to  recommend  to  the  churches  that  thev  con- 
tinue   0  eontrtbute  for  the  missionary  cause,  and  for- 

ard  thetr  donation.-  to  the  Shaftsbury  Association  °. 
their  next  session,  by  Elders  Craw,  Barber,  and  ^0^'" 

As  has  been  said,  the  church  at  Clifton  Park  d.  I  not 

unite  with  the  new  Association.    Elder  A.  Peck    th. 

pastor   did  not  wish  to  be  separated  from  the  predou 

and  of  orethien,  with  whom  his  soul  had  drunk  such 

ODj  and  deep  communion.    Neither  did  his  S:  ,fesb„  1 

brethren  feel  that  they  could  yet  spare  him,  as  he  was 

Board      The  seceding  churches  also,  on  the  same  prin- 
ciple 01  preserving  the  concentration  of  missionar   eC 
concurred  m  the  arrangement,  so  that  the  perfect  harmr ' 
ny  which  had  hitherto  subsisted  rema^nedlnt.tr 
Tie  mission  spirit  had  become  a  bond  of  perfect  union 
and  to  Mr.  Peck  his  dear  brother  Covell  was  de  "est  of 
11.    From  his  hand,  he  had  received  ordination -wtl. 
him  he  had  set  m  deep  absorbing  counsel  since  the  first 
formation  of  the  missionary  committee,  and  their  hearts 
were  knit  together  like  tiiose  of  David  and  Jonathan  - 
True,  their  lots  were  diiferently  appointed.    While  one 
was  called  to  go  out  and  do  valiantly  for  the  Lord  of 
hosts,  the  other  was  stationed  to  abide  by  the  stuff.    And 
most  nobly  has  he  performed  his  stewardship,  defended 
the  truth  at  home,  and  by   his  munific'ent  donations 
sent  out  the  word  of  life  to  thousands.    While  nearly 
all  his  former  brethren  have  fallen  around  him,  he  still 
survives  and  still  proclaims  the  unsearchable  riches  of 
Christ  Jesus  to  poor  dying  men. 


'■J -4j   :t¥; 


68 


M  EMOIR     0  F 


Returning  to  our  date  of  1804,  and  the  doings  of  that 
session,  we  note  further,  that  Elder  Gorton,  of  May  field, 
was  appointed  missionary  for  this  year,  on  the  same 
route  Mr.  Covell  took  the  year  before. 

When  the  brethren  came  to  hear  the  verbal  account  of 
Mr.  Covell's  mission,  they  were  importunate  with  him, 
that  he  should  publish  his  narrative,  deeming  that  it 
would  promote  the  blessed  cause.  Perhaps  this  will  be 
as  appropriate  a  place  as  any,  for  its  insertion.  It  rs 
rendered  verbatim  and  entire. 


^EMt'EL     COVELL. 


69 


CHAPTER    IV. 

ihe  souili-wesiem  parts  of  , hi  'l^^'-X"*.  ^d  into 
Canada:  PorforZ/blLcLd  C^rT'J  V-.  ^<'^" 
m  company  with  mi  Obef  WarJei  IflT"""^' 
tlie  Fa  1  of  1803-  Wirl.  <,„  4„  "arren,  ol  Salem,  in 

eral  Speeches  "o  anTforthlSS.  '^"'"""'''.S  ^»^- 
TOTHECANDID  READER 

^kfilLTnT:!" ""'" "'""' '"  «'^^ "  ^'^'^«"""  of 

n  ZToTl         '^  """°"'"»'  '""  ^""'  Elder  War- 
en,  ana  of  the  reception  we  met  with  in  general  •  and 
etng  destrons  of  giving  all  the  infomtation  ^n  m „ 
.i>at  mtght  afford  any  satisfaction  to  those  ;.ho  feel        t 
c'sted  .,,  the  spread  of  the  gospel  and  the  enlargel .;  of 
the  Redeemer's  kingdom-I  concluded  to  pubUsha  1 
c.se  narrative  of  our  travels,  believing  that  such  a  narr^ 
"vc  would  be  best  calculated  to  give  the  de're     inW 
anon.    I  made  known  my  mind  on  the  subject  to  E wTr 
Warren,  my  ftllnw   traveller,  and  desired'h  m  .o^ni'e 
^v■th  me  ■„  the  publication.    He  assured  me  tha"! 

..3  would  re^nder  il  v^'on  er  r^:;:  T  ""' 

■-epara^.ely,mi::^bf::::LTe?r:l^el^f''r 

gance,  and  be  productive  of  unhappy  conlf  r  1/  Bu: 
.    -    -  na,.  .„d«vured  lo  weigh  every  circumstance 


70 


MBMO I R     OF 


with  as  much  candor  as  I  am  capable  of;  and,  upon 
mature  reflection,  I  can  see  no  just  reason  why  any 
should  censure  me  for  publishing  what  is  really  true — 
provided  it  can  be,  in  any  degree,  beneficial  to  those  who 
wish  well  to  the  cause  of  Christ,  or  in  anywise  subser- 
vient 10  the  upbuilding  of  his  kingdom.  Whether  these 
effects  virill  attend  the  subsequent  narrative,  or  not,  de- 
pends entirely  on  the  will  of  the  Great  Disposer  of  all 
things;  and  to  Him  I  am  heartily  willing  to  submit  the 
issue.  That  it  may  be,  in  some  degree,  useful  lo  the 
lovers  of  mankind,  and  subservient  to  the  cause  of  the 
Redeemer,  is  the  sincere  desire  of 

The  Public's  devoted  Servant, 

LEMUEL  COVELL. 
Pittstown,  July  2Stb,  1S04. 


LEMUEL     CO  VE  LL. 


71 


A  NARRATIVE,  &c. 


Oa  Monday  the  22d  of  August,  Elder  Warren  ar- 
rived at  my  house,  and  at  5  o'cloek  P.  M.  nreaciied  a 
sermon  at  our  meeting-house,  from  1  Thess  v  »,  „„ 
had  unlortunately  taken  a  very  heavy  cold'a 'C  days 
before  he  set  out  from  home,  whieh  so  aflected  his  lu„i 
that  ,t  was  wuh  great  difficulty  he  could  speak  so  ast 
be  heard  distinctly. 

On  the  morning  of  Tuesday,  the  23d,  we  set  oiT  from 
my  house  on  our  journey,  and  at  4  in  tlio  P.  M,  arrived 
at  the  Baptist  meeting-house,  in  Clifion  P.nrI ,  nhe'e 
brother  Warren  preached  a  sermon  on  the  be„.  i.s  „d 
pleasures  of  wearing  the  yoke  of  Christ.  After  sermon 
we  went  home  with  Elder  Peek,  and  spent  the  evcl" 
m  a  very  agreeable  manner,  and  I  believe  for  edification" 

Wednes.lay,  24th-We  rode  about  30  miles,  to  Mr.' 
Nicholas  Rouse's,  at  CobuskiU,  where  we  tarried  ali 

Thursday,  25th-Rode  to  Wooster,  a  town   to  the 
south  of  Cherry-Valley,  in  the  count    of  Schoharie  _ 
Th  s  town  IS  but  newly  settled,  and  the  peopl.  very 
destitute  of  gospel  privileges.    There  is  a  smal  Bap^l' 
church  there;  but  they  have  no  ordained  minister-    In 
the  afternoon    preached  a  sermon  to  them:  tirey  seemed 
eally  rejoiced  at  our  coming  ,o  visit  them,  Lc   v^  y 
desirous  of  the  privileges  of  the  gospel  minis  ry.    Ato 
preaching    we  had  a  very  pleasing  interview   whh  " 
number  of  the  brethren,  who  stayed  for  some  conversa! 
tion.    At  evening,  we  went  home  with  Deacon  French 
where  we  spent  the  night.    I  thin'-  .—.-.-•..' 


72 


MEMOIR     OP 


m 


litute  situation  of  these  brethren,  and  their  anxiety  for 
maintaining  a  Christiar.,  travail,  they  are  entitled  to  the 
assistr^"^,!  e  of  such  chuiches  and  ministers  as  have  it  in 
their  power  to  lend  them  assistance;  and,  especiallj^,  to 
the  notice  of  missionaries. 

Friday,  26th— In  the  afternoon  we  rode,  accorijpsinled 
by  Deacon  French,  and  several  of  the  brethren,  to  Cher- 
ry-Valley, whera  we  heard  a  Mr.  Farley,  an  open  eon-j- 
munion  Baptist,  preach.  After  his  discourse  was  ended, 
the  people  seemed  very  desirous  rJiat  one  of  us  should 
give  them  a  sermon.  There  was  a  pe-^on  to  be  baptized, 
and  we  concluded,  if  time  would  permit,  to  comply  with 
their  request,  after  the  administration  of  the  ordinance. 
VV'e  repaired  to  the  water,  Mr.  Farley  adridnislered  the 
ordinancu^  and  the  people  returned  to  the  house,  in  order 
10  hear  prcdchinv'.  Broih'jr  Warren  being  still  afflicted 
v/ilh  hoarseL's.;-^,  desired  me  to  preach.  I  delivered  a 
short  disoou I ;•,}.',  fiom  Rom.  v,  1.  Here  we  found  a  num- 
ber of  brethren  of  the  open  communion  order,  some  of 
them  very  zealous  and  devotional.  It  was  proposed  to 
hold  a  religious  conference  this  evening,  to  which  all 
parties  consented.  We  went  and  took  supper  with  a 
Mr.  Waldo,  a  Presbyterian  brother,  who  treated  us  with 
the  utmost  civility,  and  refreshed  us  in  a  very  hospitable 
manner.  In  the  evening  we  repaired  to  the  place  ap- 
pointed for  conference,  and  had  a  very  agreeable  inter- 
view in  religious  conversation,  prayer,  and  singing 
praises  to  the  great  Author  of  all  things,  and  source  of 
every  blessing. 

Saturday,  27th— We  pursued  our  journey,  intending  to 
ride,  'his  uay,  as  far  as  Exeter.  Part  of  the  way  we  had 
the  company  of  Mr.  Farley,  and  some  of  his  brethren, 
who  were  returning  to  Richfield,  the  place  of  their  resi- 
dence. We  had  considerable  discourse  with  jbem,  as 
we  rode  together,  respecting  their  religious    o:nions, 


LEMUEL     COVELL. 


73 


especially  that  of  open  communion.  When  we  parted 
With  tnem  we  agreed  that  one  of  us  would  preach  with 
them  on  Monday  next,  at  4  in  the  afternoon.  This  eve- 
ning we  arrived  at  Deacon  Hodge's,  in  Exeter.  Deacon 
Hodge  and  his  wife  were  formerly  members  of  the 
church  with  brother  Warren:  they  were  much  overjoyed 
to  see  us  and  entertained  us  in  a  Christian-like  manner 

Lord  s-day  28th-Brother  Warren  preached  in  Deacon 
Hodge  s  neighborhood,  and  I  rode  about  6  miles,  and 
preac  ed  with  Elder  Palmer's  people,  in  Exeter,  he  ieing 
absent.  Here  I  met  with  a  number  of  my  former  ac- 
quaintance and  brethren:  we  enjoyed  mutual  pleasure 
in  seeing  each  other,  and  had  a  happy  season  in  social 
worship.  I  preached  with  them  twice  in  the  day  time 
and  once  at  evening.  ' 

Monday,  29th^It  10  o'clock  A.  M.,  I  preached  at  a 
school-house,  near  Deacon  Hodge's,  and  after  sermon 
bDpUzed  a  woman.  Here  brother  Warren  met  me,  and 
after  dinner  we  rode  to  Richfield,  accompanied  by  Elder 
Tayler,  of  Burlington,  Deacon  Hodge,  and  a  number  of 
others,  to  meet  with  Mr.  Farley,  and  his  people.  I 
preacned  a  sermon  to  them  in  the  afternoon,  and  brother 
^^  arrcn  in  the  evening.  After  the  evening  sermon,  we 
went  home  with  Esq.  Jeffords,  and  too":  lodgings. 

Tuesday,  30th- We  rode,  accompanied  bv  Elder  Tav- 
er,  to  Elder  Vining's,  in  Litchfield.    Elder  \  ining  and 
his  wife  were  greatly  rejoiced  to  see  us.    Brother  War- 
ren  preached  in  the  neighborhood   this  afternoon.    At 
evening  we  rode  about  3  miles,  to  a  school-house,  where 
1  preached  to  a  pretty  large  assembly,  who  had  collected 
upon  very   short  notice.     This  was  a  lime  to  be  remem- 
bered with  gratitude  to  the  Giver  of  every  good   and 
perfect  gift.    After  worship,  brother  Warren  went  home 
with  Elder  Vining,  and  I  stayed  in  the  neighborhood.— 
We  parted  this  evening,  in  order  to  take  diffprpnt  mnroc 


4k  S 


y-MUj: 


74 


MEMOIR    OP 


and  agreed  to  meet  the  next  Monday,  at  Cazenovia.—- 
Wednesday,  31st— I  rode  to  Utica,  where  I  preached 
in  the  evening.  After  sermon,  had  conversation  v/ith  a 
Mr.  Hubbell,  who  was  desirous  of  being  baptized.  It 
was  agreed  to  attend  on  the  adniinistratioa  of  the  ordin- 
ance the  next  morning. 

Thursday,  Sept.  1st— At  G  in  the  morning  the  people 
collected,  and  I  baptized  brother  Hubbell.  Same  day 
rode  to  Mr.  Benjamin  Brayton's  in  Trenton;  went  to  see 
a  Mr.  Bull,  with  whom  I  had  some  business,  and  re- 
turned to  Mr.  Brayton's,  and  took  lodgings  for  the  night. 
Friday,  2d — Returned  to  Utica,  and  preached  in  the 


evening. 


Saturday,  3d— Rode  to  Paris,  and  preached  at  11 
o'clock,  A.  M.  In  the  afternoon  rode  to  Esq.  Payne's, 
at  Hamilton,  and  took  lodging  for  the  night. 

Lord's-day,  4th — This  day  and  evening  I  preached  two 
sermons  with  the  people  in  Hamilton,  and  had  a  most 
agreeable  visit  with  Elder  Ilosmer  and  his  brethren. 

Monday,  5th — Rode  to  Cazenovia;  found  brother  War- 
ren preaching  to  a  number  of  brethren,  with  great  free- 
dom, and  the  assembly  deeply  affected.  After  preach- 
ing, we  had  some  conversation  with  some  of  them,  con- 
cerning their  situation.  There  is  a  church  in  this  place, 
but  they  are  few  and  weak,  and  destitute  of  a  minister. 
They  informed  us  that  they  were  laboring  under  some 
embarrassments,  on  account  of  a  labor  they  had  taken 
with  one  of  their  m.embers,  which  issued  in  his  excom- 
munication: that  after  he  was  excommunicated,  he  and 
a  few  disaffected  members,  had  called  a  council,  and 
complained  to  them  against  the  church:  that  the  said 
council  had  condeinned  the  church,  without  giving  them 
a  hearing;  and  lUat  the  church  were  dissatisfied  with 
the  doings  of  said  council,  and  wanted  f.o  be  advised 
how  to  proceed.    We  advised  them  to  send  for  a  council 


LEMUEL     COVELL. 


76 


zenovia. — 


of  ministers  and  brethren,  and  to  invite  tiie  former  coun- 
cil to  attend  the  meeting,  and  see  if  matters  could  be 
brought  to  an  accommodation.  They  agreed  to  hearken 
to  our  advice,  agreed  on  a  time  for  the  meeting  of  said 
council,  and  invited  us  to  attend  it  on  our  return— to 
which  we  agreed.  In  the  afternoon  we  rode  about  two 
miles,  to  a  school-house,  where  I  preached  a  sermoiv  to 
the  peoi)Ie.  After  sermon,  we  went  home  with  Deacon 
Covell,  and  spent  the  night. 

Tuesday,  Gth— We  rode  together  as  far  as  Pompey, 
where  we  parted,  to  meet  again  on  Thursday,  at  the 
Salt- Works,  at  Onondaga.  This  afternoon  I  rode  alone 
to  Esq.  Lamb's,  in  Pompey-Hollow,  where  I  was  most 
cordially  received,  and  kindly  entertained.  There  are  a 
number  of  scattered  brethren  in  this  place,  who  are  des- 
titute of  gospel  privileges.  I  staid  and  preached  with 
ihem  this  evening,  and  lodged  at  Esq.  Lamb's.  I  was 
really  affected  to  see  a  number  of  brethren,  some  of 
whom  i  had  been  acquainted  with,  in  a  destitute,  scat- 
tered situation,  thirsting  for  a  preached  gospel,  and  none 
to  administer  it  to  them. 

Wednesday,  7th-I  rode  to  the  widow  Jerom's,  on 
Pompey-IIill,  where  I  preached  in  the  afternoon,  and 
tamed  all  night.  In  this  neighborhood,  likewise,  the 
people  are  destitute  of  a  preacher,  and  some  of  them 
very  desirous  of  enjoying  gospel  privileges. 

Thursday,  8th-Rode  to  the  Salt- Works,  in  Ononda-a 
where  I  met  wirh  brother  Warren.  At  this  place  there 
IS  little  or  no  attention  paid  to  religion;  but  the  people, 
generally  speaktng,  lead  a  very  i,^moral,  and  some  of 
ihem  a  very  dissipated  life.  There  were  a  few  Individ- 
uals,  however,  who  seem,  at  least,  willins  lo  invite 
ministers  to  preach,  when  they  call  to  visit  them.  They 
mvited  us  to  preach-we  consented-in  the  evening  the 
people  collected,  and  I  gave  them  a  sermon=    Whether 


76 


MEMOIR    OP 


it  was  for  the  sake  of  a  novelty,  or  some  other  reason,  1 
oannot  say  5  but  the  people  pretty  cenerally  came  out 
this  evnnirig  to  hear  preaching,  and  gave  pretty  good 
attention.  I  think  missionaries  would  do  well  to  visit 
them;  for  if  they  have  no  great  relish  for  preaching, 
they  certainly  rui  v  i;. 

Friday,  9i.ii— We  roue  to  Col.  Lawrence's,  in  Marcel- 
lus.  In  thi^  town  they  have  no  settled  preacher.  There 
are  some  Baptist  brethren,  but  the  greater  part  are  Pres- 
byterians, isider  Warren  preached  in  the  evening,  and 
they  were  very  desirous  t}--  ouv  oi  u.  should  tarry  with 
them  over  the  Sabbath.  After  conferring  between  our- 
selves, we  concluded  to  gratify  them— Elder  Warren 
coiiiiluded  to  go  as  far  as  Aurelius,  and  I  consented  to 
stay  with  the  people  in  Marcellus. 

Saturday,  10th— Brother  Warren  left  me,  and  I  went 
and  made  a  visit  v/ith  some  brethren  in  the  western  part 
of  Onondaga.  There  is  no  church  in  this  place,  but  a 
number  of  brethren,  who  live  remote  from,  any  place  of 
stated  worship,  and  keep  up  meetings  every  Srbbath 
among  themselves.  They  are  destitute  of  preaching, 
unless  some  minister  visits  them  occasionally:  which  is 
not  very  often  the  case.  I  spent  the  day  in  visiting 
them  and  preached  with  them  in  the  eve  ;'ng. 

Lord's-day,  11th — Freached  twice  v;ith  the  peoph^  at 
Marcellus,  and  in  the  evenin  rode  to  Capt.  Hatch's,  in 
Aurelius,  whei .'  I  [;;eached  sermo  ,  and  stayed  all 
night.  The  people  in  this  neighhnrhonJ  are  destitute  of 
stated  preaching 

Monday,  12th— I  rode  to  Klder  Irish's,  who  lives  in  a 
part  of  the  town  of  Aurelius,  an  1  at  4  in  the  afternooD, 
preached  with  his  people.  After  se  mon,  returneU  *  •  his 
houLe  for  lodgings.  He:  I  ;ain  met  w'h  brother 
Warren.  This  evening  v  re  .  «red  peculi;  I y  agreed- 
ble,  by  the  conipany   of  a  numoer  of  brethiv     in  the 


w 


minisi 

Elder 

upon 

world, 

oC  diff 

sioned 

ferenci 

return. 

Tue 

Norton 

west  c 

Oaks', 

people, 

are  no\ 

ing,  the 

of  then 

neighbc 

stay  an 

ran,  fini 

Wed 
Bloouifi 
a  most 
who  coJ 
church 
name  oi 
the  chu 
tbem  li\ 

Tliin 
number 
persons 
la  the  ai 
aing  ro( 
Jenimisc 
member 
preachin 


%f* 


LEMUEL     COVELL. 


77 


r  reason,  1 
came  out 
iretty  good 
ell  to  visit 
preaching, 

in  Marcel- 
er.  There 
:t  are  Pres- 
cning,  and 
tarry  with 
twcen  our- 
^r  Warren 
Jiisented  to 

and  I  went 

estern  part 
lace,  but  a 
ly  place  of 
ry  Srbbalh 
preaching, 
y,  which  is 
in  visiting 

3  peopb^  at 

Hatch's,  in 

stayed  all 

lestitute  of 

>  lives  in  a 
afternoon, 
rneU  '  •  hib 
'♦h  brother 
'ly  agreed 
ia  the 


rajmslry  who  l.appenod,  proyidcntia,  to  meet  us  at 
KLlor  „sl.'.  We  had  a  long  confe..  i„  .i,"  ,"„  „:' 
upon  the  s,ate  of  religion  in  ,hi,  ,a..  of  >he  w  sem 
wor  d  and  received  information  eonccrnins  -some  ~ 
of  d>fficuly,n  the  church  at  Scipio,  winch  had  oce 
.toned  a  d.v,s,on  in  said  church.  After  a  len^tU  cot 
fence,  we  agreed  to  attend  a  council  at  S„ipl„,  [Z. 

Tuesday  i;;;h-Wo  rode,  accompanied  by  Klder  Seb. 
Norton  to  the  town  of  Phelps,  which  lies  about  13  mi 
west  o(  the  Cayuga  lake.  We  put  up  at  the  widl 
Oaks ,  and  I  preached  a  sermon  in  the  evenin.  to  a  lej 
people,  who  came  together  upon  very  short  nouce  wl 
are  now  ,„  a  par.  of  the  country,  where,  generally 'speak! 
tng,  the  people  are  very  destitute  of  nreaching,  and  mat 
of  t™.  very  desirous  to  hear  it.  The  people  „  ,hi' 
ncghborhood  were  very  anxious  that  one  of  us  luM 
stay  and  preach  u  uh  them  the  next  day.  Brother  Wi 
rcn,  finally  concluded  to  stay. 

Wednesday,  Uth-I  left  brother  Watren]  and  rode  to 
Bloontfield,  and  put  up  at  brother  Lyon's,  where  I  had 
a  .nest  prec.  •.    ,me  in  preaching  .0  a  sm'all  aslem  ly 
who  colleced  .n  very  short  notice.    There  is  a  bIp  « 
church  ,      .,s  place,  who  have  a  set.led  minister,  by'  he 

TciJt      '"'^«-.™-'^'«">e  members  of 
he  churcl.  Ik.       „  scattering,  or,  at  least,  manv  of 
tbem  live  remote  fro.a  ,  leir  place  of  meeting. 

Ti  irsiiay,  15iu-I  had  a  very  agreeable  "vi.if  -r-.k 

number  of  .he  members  of  the'  '.urch       d    Wh  :  t: 

person,,  who  appeared  to  be  under     ,0^  awakelr- 

In  the  afternoon  I  preached  with       m-  and  in  •hi 

mng  rode  back  about  four  mile,  and 'peac    d  a.  Z" 

i    JenimisoB's,  u,  Canandaigua,  who  is     ZTZ  J' 

|me.uberofaB.,.tis.churVwbich'Vde;a„.ror:::.^: 
preaching.     Here  I  i.,et  with  brother  W.  We 


if  i 


mrn'm"'* 


78 


M  E  M  O  1  11     OF 


spent  the  nijiht  together  at  brother  Jcminison's,  and  the 
next  morning  rode  to  brother  Lyon's,  at  Blooniliold,  where 
we  spent  the  day  in  the  most  agreeablo  manner,  with 
the  family,  and  some  others  who  came  in  to  see  us.  In 
the  evening  we  went  to  a  house  where  brother  Warren 
had  appointed  to  preach.  We  found  a  pretty  large  as- 
sembly collected.  Brother  Warren  preached  a  most 
excellent  sermon:  after  him,  I  delivered  a  discourse.— 
They  sal  with  gi  at  patience,  and  many  of  them,  seem- 
ingly, with  pleasure.  This  was  a  solemn  meeting.  In 
this  place  we  discovered  that  the  Lord  was  carrying  on 
his  work  of  grace,  in  the  conversion  of  sinners. 

SatUi  lay,  17th — This  morning,  very  early,  a  brother 
Chapman  called,  to  inform  us  that  a  young  man  at  his 
house  had  obtained  a  hope  of  the  pardon  of  his  sins,  the 
day  before.     He  seemed  almost  overcome  vi^ith  joy,  and 
insisted  on  our  calling  to  see  the  young  man  before  we 
left  the  place.     After  offering  up  solemn  prayer  to  God, 
for  his  protectif  11  and  blessing,  we  took  an  affectionate 
leave  of  brother  Lyon  and  his  family,  and  went  home 
with  brother  Chapman;  where  we  found  the  young  man, 
and  a  number  of  brethren,  who   had   collected  on  his 
account,  praising  and  magnifying  the  Lord  for  his  goo  !- 
ness;  while  several  young  people  were  muchv^cted 
with  a  sense  of  their  sins.    This  was  a  solemn,  joyful 
season.    Oh !   How  beautiful  the  work  of  the  Lord  ap- 
pears!   "Well  may  we  praise  him:  all  his  works  are 
perfect."    After  some   time  spent  in  conversation,  we 
commended  them  to  God  by  solmen  prayer;  and,  after 
exhorting  them  to  continue  steadfast  in  the  faith,  took 
leave  of  them,  and  pursued  our  journey  as  far  as  Charles- 
ton, where  brother  Warren  stopped,  in  order  to  spend  the  ^ 
Sabbalh,  and  I  proceeded  as  far  as  Elder  Firman's,  in 
Hartford,  on  the  Genesee  river — who  received  me  joy- 
fully ;  and  we  spent  the  evening:  with  peculiar  pleasure, 
ia  religious  conversation. 


f" 


l-EMOEl,  COVELI.. 


79 


wuh  Elder  F,rma„'s  people,  in  .wo  din-ercnt  ^JTZl 
a.eve„,„gro.la.r  Warren  arrived,  and  preacl,ed  i'n  , 
same  neighborhood. 

Monday  19.h_We  left  Elder  Firnran's,  crossed  .he 
Oo„e.ee  nver,  and  rode  .oge.l.or  .o  a  small  so.. "I!; 
called  Ganson's  set.lemen.,  where  bro.her  wTrr^n 
s.opped  .0  preach  in  .he  evening,  and  I  rode  alone  .0 

nm,  where  I  preached  ,n  ,l,e  evening,  and  s.ayed  all 

Tuesday,  20.h-Bro.her  Warren  arr.ved  abou.  eleven 
o-clock  ,n  .he  morning;  and  about  1  in  u,o  afternoon 
we  set  o/I  ,0  „d„  .hrough  what  is  ealle.l  ,he  Eigh.een- 
Mde  Woods.    Wo  had  not  proceeded  far,  before  i  began 
.0  ra,n.    Th,s  was  .he  first  tiu.e  we  had  any  rain  ,0  ride 
m  smce  we  left  home.    We  were  in  the  wilderness 
vu  out  house  or  shelter,  all  the  afternoon;  and  most  o 
.  e  ,nne  u  ramed  e.vcossively.    We  were  soaked  to  .he 
.  m  with  wa.er.  and  had  very  muddy  riding.     A  little 
alter  sun-set,  we  arrived  at  a  tavern,  just  at  the  end  of 
he  long  woods,  kept  by  a  Mr.  Van  Deven.er.    Here  we 
ound^the  house  full  of  people,  who  had  been  doin' 
town  buJ.ness,  and  were  detained  by  the  excessive  rain' 
many  of  whom  hved  at  such  a  distance,  they  could  not' 
ge.  home  that  niglu.    When  we  arrived,  they  were  in  a 
very  h,gh  and  merry  mood-some  singing  foolish  son., 
-some  laughmg  loud-some  swearing-and  some  al- 
most he  pless:  al  seemed  to  feel,  more  or  less,  the  eifccts 
of  whisky.    In  the  midst  of  such  a  revel,  we  could  no. 
expect  to  enjoy  much  tranquillity.    We  were  determined 
however,  .0  try  how  far  a  portion  of  truth  might  prove 
an  antidote  .0  .he  disorder  .hat  seemed  so  prevalent 
ainong  them.    As  soon  as  ourpoor,  suttcing  horses  were 
provided  for,  we  informed  the  people  of  the  house  .h»r 


80 


futtftny 

1 

ill  1 

1 

ff 

MEMOIR     OF 


we  were  missionaries;  and  thar,  as  Providence  had  cast 
our  lot  among  t^^m  for  the  night,  we  were  willing  to 
preach  to  thera,  if  they  were  disposed  to  give  their  at- 
tention.    The  landlord  made  known  to  them  our  pro- 
posal, which  hnd  its  desired  effect.     Their  carnal  mirth 
stopped,  almost  in  an  instant:— they  expressed  a  willing- 
ness to  hear  preaching;  and  within  fifteen  minutes,  there 
was   almost  a  profound  silence,  in  place  of  so  much 
noise  and  confusion.    As  soon  as  the  necessary  prepara- 
tions were  made,  I  went  to  preaching,  in  wet  clothes, 
without  changing  a  single  article  of  them  for  dry  onesi 
and  had  a  very  comfortable  time  in  preaching,  and  a 
very  attentive  assembly.    After  sermon,  a  few  of  thera 
went  away,  and  the  remainder  treated  us  with  all  the 
civility  and  -especi  due  to  our  character.     This  we  ven- 
ture to  recoiu  as  one  evidence  of  the  benefit  resulting  to 
society  from  a  preached  gospel,  even  in  this  world.  That 
which  will  calm  such  tumultuous  assemblies,  so  that 
sober  men  can  enjoy  peace,  must  be  truly  beneficial. 

Wednesday,  21st- We  rode  to  Buffalo,  a  small  vil^ 
iage,  at  the  mouth  of  a  creek  of  that  name,  just  at  the 
foot  of  Lake  Erie;  where,  to  our  inexpressible  joy  we 
met  with  Elder  Elkanah  Holmes,  missionary  to  the 
North-Western  Indians,  and  his  ladv,  who  received  us 
With  the  utmost  civility.  This,  however,  was  not  the 
place  of  their  residence— that  being  at  Fort  Slusher 
about  27  miles  down  the  Niagara  river:  but  Elder 
Holmes  was  waiting  at  Buffalo  for  an  answer  from  the 
Seneca  nation  of  Indians,  who  were  holding  a  council 
at  their  village,  about  5  or  6  miles  up  the  Buffalo  creek 
on  the  subject  of  building  a  house  at  their  said  villa«re 
for  public  worship,  and  for  educating  their  children.l 
We  intended  to  have  crossed  the  Niagara  river,  into  the 
province  of  Upper  Canada,  the  next  dav;  but  Mr.  Holmes 
was  not  willing  we  should  leave  him  till  he  hac     caived 


LEMDEL     COVBLL. 


81 


h.s  answer  from  the  Indians;  and  we  also  had  a  mind 
.OS  ay  and  hear  n.  We  put  up  our  horses  where  ,hey 
m.gh.bereoruu,nga]mle,and  spent  three  days  in  th's 
pl.ce;  durmg  whtch  time,  we  preached  twice  to  the 
people,  and  nad  much  agreeable  conversation  with  Mr 
Holmes  There  .s  no  stated  meeting  for  religiou  w«: 
sh,p  held  .„  th.s  place,  nor  any  religious  society  for^,". 
On  Saturday,  the  24th,  Red  Jacket,  the  chief  Sachem 

that  they  had  pretty  much  got  through  with  their  co^ 
sultations,  and  concluded  to  have  the  house  built     After 
hearing  this  message,  we  look  leave  of  Mr.  Holmes  and 
agreed  to  attend  with  him,  at  the  Tuscarora  village   the 
next  Saturday      This  afternoon  we  crossed  over  to  p„„ 
Ene,  .n  the  British  dominions,  and  put  up  at  Do!" 
Chapm's    a  gentlemen  from  the  Staie  of  NewS 
who  resides  there.    The  Doctor  and  his  lady  treated  us 
with  the  utmost  friendship  and  hospitality 

Lord's-day  25th-We  went  about  two  miles  down 
he  nver  where  the  people  were  notified  to  attend  pub 
he  worship.  There  was  a  pretty  large  assembly,  cot 
sidertng  the  situation  of  the  place;  and  the  people  gave 
very  strict  attention  while  we  both  preached-the  one  L 
the  momma,  and  the  other  in  the  afternoon 

Monday,  26.h-We  set  out  this  morning  upon  a  tour 
down  the  river,  and  spent  the  week,  till  Friday  ni,ht  i„ 
riding  and  preaching  from  one  place  to  ar,other,°al™." 
the  river  and  in  its  vicinity.    In  the  course  of  this  w«ek 
we  formed  an  acquaintance  with  a  number  of  pecnle 
who  treated  us  with  the  utmost  friendship  and  hospital!: 
ty.and  did  everything  i„  their  power  to  afford  u«  such 
information  and  assistance  as  was  necessary  and  useful 
to  us  in  the  prosecution  of  our  mission.    Anions  other, 
a  Mr  Archibald  Thompson,  who  lives  at  Stanford    bou; 
7  or  8  miles  below  the  Great  Falls,  was  neculili  4"' 


«9 


MEMOIR    OF 


viceable  to  us.    He  nursed  our  horses  in  the  best  man- 
.ner— found  us  horses  to  ride,  accompanied  "us  himself 
where  we  went,  in  many  instances:  in  short,  he  seemed 
anxious  that  nothing  should  be  lacking  on  his  part  to 
render  the  place  agreeable  to  us,  and  enable  us  to  be 
serviceable  to  the  people.    Besides  him,  many  others  in 
the  same  place  were  very  kind.    About  two  miles  from 
the  village  of  Newark,  lives  a  gentleman,  by  the  name 
of  Sweczey,  a  member  of  the  provincial  parliament  in 
this  province,  who  distinguished  himself  as  our  friend. 
On  Friday  of  this  week,  brother  Warren  preached  at  his 
house,  by  his  particular  request.    While  we  were  there, 
we  were  treated  wiih  peculiar  friendship;  and  at  eve- 
ning, he  and  his  lady  accompanied  us  to  aueenston, 
where  we  had  an  appointment  for  evening  preaching.— 
After  worship,  when  he  took  his  leave  of  us,  he  insisted 
we  must  visit  him  again  before  we  left  the  province ; 
and  solicited  hard  that  one  or  both  of  us  should  preach 
at  Newark,  as  soon  as  we  could  make  it  convenient.— 
This  night  we  lodged  at  a  Mr.  Rose's  ia  Queenston 
where  we  received  every  mark  of  friendship  that  could 
be  shown.    Mr.  Rose  and  his  lady  were  formerly  from 
New-England;  they  are  neither  of  them  professors  of 
religion,  but  they  behaved  towards  us  in  a  Christian-like 
manner. 

Saturday,  Oct.  1st— This  morning  we  crossed  the 
Niagara  river,  at  aueenston  Ferry,  and  went  about  half 
a  mile  up  the  river,  to  a  Maj.  Beech's,  where  we  met 
Elder  Holmes,  and  went  with  him  to  the  Tuscarora 
village,  about  three  miles  from  this  place.  We  spent 
ihe  afternoon  very  agreeably,  with  the  Indians,  and  at 
evening  returned  to  Maj.  Beech's  and  took  refreshment. 
Brother  Warren  crossed  the  river  again  this  evening,  in 
order  t.)  spend  the  Sabbath  at  Stanford,  and  I  concluded 
to  stay  and  spend  the  Sabbath  with  Elder  Holmes, 
among  the  Indians. 


LEMUEL     COVELL. 


83 


Elder  Holmes  del  vered  ihL  '  ^'''^'"••led,  and 

which  was  imepreed  o  r'"^""'''''*'''^'"""''' 
shot,  pause,  I  delS  L^T  '"  t"'  ""'"•  ^f-er  a 
as  I  was  sen.  ou  b?1h  X^/f  '>°"""^'''^'  «'»'' 
missionary,  I  had  calLd  ,„  ^'"'■^'"'y  ^^'"ciation,  as  a' 

form  an  a^nainlant  w' r.i::  1:?%''-''-. -<> 

approbation  .0  instruct  theVin^^he"  'sp'el"  T"  ""'" 
swered  by  the  r  Chjpf  -w/o    •      ■         ""^P®^*    1  was  an- 

.-n.  speech  'Lp'ri^TnL:"  thtt'  ?"'  T'^  """ 
Spirit,  for  putting  it  into  the  heZlfl  .•""'  <^""" 
'"  visit  them,  and  ins.ruc  them T  ,f         *"""  P'"?'* 

wise  to  my  brethren  fortendtV^"?""''  '""""'^- 
them,  and  to  me  for  caTlinr?  ^  missionaries  to  visit 

close  of  his  speecl/tS^:X;''-;-^,  at  the 
be  very  glad  to  have  me  snpn^  ^"°"  *""''» 

before  I  returned  home  li  .  "'  '""'  '''"'-  ">»«' 
m  return  from  L^  Po  ^f "  J"  """'", '°  "='"■'  °» 
day.  We  then  took  leave  rf. 1,1  '"''^'  ^™"  ""'^ 
Beech's  .mrt  t„„i  '*■"'  "'eturned  to  Maior 

in  the  same  ne  Sorhood  a! '"'  T"'' "'  ^  ^'^  ^'""='^' 
'on,  on  the  othe?  sidetfl'e";;::  '"e  evening  at  Queens- 

province,  would  far  exceed  Z      /  ^.  ?  '^''^'  ^'^  *^^« 
narrative :  I  shall  LZT  '"''"^''^  ^^'"'^^  ^^  ^^is 

ageneralvietl^/     fw    r 

the  last  week,  formed  It  ^'^'  '"  '^"  ^^^^^^  of 

serviceable  to  us  in  afTordino.  T'r         •    ''  P^^^^^^^ly 
Places  we  had  occas  on  to  4^^  "^7'^^-  -  .*«  -an, 

ty  vi^su.    He  accompanied  us  on 


84 


MEMOIR    OF- 


r 


iiir 


our  journey:  we  rode  from  place  to  place,  and  preached 
as  often  as  time  would  admit.  The  people,  in  almost 
every  place  we  visited,  were  very  anxious  to  hear  preach- 
ing—would  run  together,  on  the  shortest  notice,  and 
many  of  them  seemed  very  much  aflOected  with  what 
they  heard.  We  found  no  church  of  the  Baptist  order, 
though  there  were  a  number  of  brethren  in  several  places. 
There  had,  a  few  years  since,  been  a  Baptist  church  at 
the  Thirty-Mile-Creek,  near  30  miles  from  Q,ueenston; 
but  they  have  pretty  much  lost  their  visibility,  although 
a  number  of  the  members  still  reside  there.  We  found 
sevvvtal  societies  of  the  Methodist  order,  who  in  general 
were  very  friendly,  and  some  of  them  seemed  very  glad 
to  hear  us  preach:  in  particular,  at  Burford,  a  little  be- 
yond the  Grand  River,  we  found  a  large  society  of  them, 
who  treated  us  very  kindly,  and  were  very  solicitous  for 
preaching.  While  I  made  a  short  visit  at  Burford,  broth- 
er Warren  made  a  visit  with  the  Mohawk  Indians,  on 
the  Grand  River,  preached  to  them,  and  was  very  civilly 
treated  by  them.  The  savages  are  the  most  civil  people 
in  the  world,  in  time  of  peace;  and  are  a  living  example 
for  the  imitation  of  white  people,  in  point  of  good  man- 


ners 


On  the  evening  of  Saturday  8th,  to  our  great  joy,  we 
arrived  at  the  Long  Point  settlement,  where  we  were 
most  joyfully  received.  At  this  place  we  found  a  num- 
ber of  Cliristian  brethren,  who  had  lived  a  number  of 
years  without  the  privileges  connected  with  gospel  or- 
dinances, for  want  of  an  administrator.  They  had  fre- 
quently «ent  the  most  pres'sing  requests  to  one  and  anoth- 
er, but  had  alw  ;".,  been  unsuccessful.  The  candid  would 
not  censure  a  people  thus  situated,  if,  on  obtaining  the 
long  wished-for  opportunity  of  receiving  the  adminislra- 
lioo  of  those  sacred  ordinances,  ihey  should  discover  a 
little  innocent  enthusiasm:  this  was  the  case  with  them; 


LEHDEL     COVELL. 


85 


and  I  should  set  him  down  f«-  »    ^  . 

t  ijxm  aown  lor  a  stoic,  who  wonlrl  «nt 

have  been  moved  i„,„  some  degree  of  .erdernTrae  T 
solemn,  p.ou,  ecstasy,  ,hat  appeared  amo  g  h  m  dmjt 

x::zin":s--xs:eiif^^^^^^^^ 

oarselves  sharp  prel  "  t*  LT  '"^  ^'  ""  """ 
seemed  ,o  pre/aiUn  ve^yd  Ic  io'"  TT:"h  T  ""'"" 
notice  of  our  comi„<.  and  wtrl  ^''^^  ^ad  previous 
pared  to  receive  u       Thl  "  '^"^  ""^^^"'^  ?«" 

prove  in  pub  >e  Z' Z^  "'  .'""  '''*""^»  ^^o  im- 
and Fairch,"  *  Bro  h '/f^"''!'.-'  "'  ""'""  °'^'"«'' 
tance  from  th  body  of  L  brl  ?'"''  ''  ^•""•'  '''^- 
timcs.  Brother  Fkch  1.1'"'  ''''"'  *''''"'" 
«.h  them  i"dS  tu  eiLToTlh"'"'  """'  '^'"^ 
and  when  we  arrived  1=^  f      "  *''  ""lained, 

been  baptized  Stw  b  !;,  f  ''■'"=''  '""'  '''™' 
us  about  15  miles  from  ^b?"  "'"'  '"'^""™^''>  "et 
us  there.    We  '!»  "     ^  '""  ™™'.  ^-xi  accompanied 

which  was"!: j;:; r Si-, ,''"' •'^ v^"^ °"« °^ 

ZTtT:  ''''^~V^'  ■"""'■'»"  ^™  took  an  affectionate 
nd  f1  mm'  """  ""•"  •'  Burford.    Brethren  Finch 

'!!i!!!:;i^l^;>emjore,„rn  ,o  Uueenston,  and  brother 
both  these  bretw'"^''^""'^  *'"  ^^^'^^^'^  '«  the  ordin;ii;;;;7f 


86 


MEMOIR    0  P 


Warren  set  out  on  a  tour  to  the  River  Retrench,  in  com- 
pany with  those  two  brethren.  On  my  return,  I  preached 
at  a  number  of  places,  where  I  had  left  appointments  as 
I  went  out;  and  on  the  evening  of  Friday,  21st,  arrived 
at  our  friend  Thompson's,  at  Stanford. 

Saturday,  22d — This  morning  I  went  to  Glueenston, 
crossed  the  river,  and  went  to  Maj.  Beech,'s,  where  I 
met  with  Elder  Holmes,  after  an  absence  of  three  weeks, 
and  went  with  him  to  the  Tuscarora  village,  and  had  a 
pleasing  interview  with  the  Indians.  At  evening  we 
returned  to  Major  Beech's,  where  we  met  with  a  Mr. 
Palmer,  a  Baptist  minister,  from  Peeks-Kill,  accompanied 
by  a  Deacon  Bentley,  from  the  same  place,  and  a  Mr. 
Marsh,  from  New- York,  with  whom  we  passed  the  eve- 
ning very  agreeably. 

Lord's-day,  23d— After  breakfast  we  all  went  to  the 
village,  where  we  met  a  pretty  large  collection  of  the 
Indians,  and  a  number  of  white  people  j  when,  for  the 
first  time,  I  preached  to  my  Indian  brethren,  by  an  inter- 
preter. We  spent  some  time  with  them,  after  preaching, 
and  then  returned  to  Mr.  Cook's,  where  I  preached  at  4 
o'clock,  and  spent  the  night. 

Monday,  24th— According  to  previous  arrangement,  I 
crossed  the  river,  and  went  in  company  with  our  friends 
from  New-York,  and  Mr.  Thompson,  to  Newark,  where 
I  preached  in  the  evening,  and  went  home  with  my 
friend,  Mr.  Sweezey,  for  lodgings.  The  next  morning  I 
tarried  v/ith  him  till  my  company  arrived,  when  I  bid 
him  and  his  family  an  affectionate  adieu,  after  receiving 
the  most  pressing  solicitation  to  call  on  him,  if  I  ever 
came  that  way  again,  and  his  kind  wishes  for  my  pros- 
perity and  safe  return  home;  and  rode  to  Q,ueenston, 
where  we  parted  with  Mr.  Thompson,  crossed  the  river, 
and  proceeded  to  Elder  Lolmes',  at  Fort  Slusher.  I 
spent  the  remainder  cf  the  week  with  great  satisfaction^ 


lEMOBL   aovr.LL. 


87 


« this  place;  preached  once,  a.>d  made  preparation,  for 
a  counc.  mib  .he  Indians  on  Saturday.    Elder  Holme 

:n°dh",I,r''""^"'"'  ""^  -r,.of  rrienOsr; 

Saturday,  29th-Elder  Holme,  a'ccom,-,anied  me  to  the 
vtllag  .  where  we  held  a  council  with'  ,he  I,"L1°  I 
gave  them  a  talk  in  writing,  and  agreed  to  iet  them  m 
councl  the  next  Monday,  to  receive  their  answt 

LordVday,  30.h-I  preached  to  them  again,  and  had 
much  conversatton  with  them,  after  preaching/  and  thea 
wen.  across  the  river,  and  preached  in  tl.e  evcninr« 
Mr  Thompson's,  at  Stanford,  where,  to  ,„y  sreat  W  I 
met  with  brother  Warren  nfrcr  „„  „i,  .    ,  ^^'  ' 

forlnirrht     Tl>„  ,'  ■il'seiicc  of  almost  a 

fortnight.    The  account  he  gave  me  of  fai^  tour  while 
we  were  apart,  added  greatly  to  my  j„y  and  eZ.^a^ 

•II  u       .  ^S'«'^ment,   crossed  over  to  ihe  Indian 

village,  where  I  me.  with  Elder  Holm.,,   hold  the  pro- 
posed council  with  them,  and  received  ,  oir  talk   to  be 
presented  to  the  Shrf-.,ury  AssociaUon.     ^ft   our 
councl  was  concluded.  i.o,k  a  solemn  and  affec  La" 
leave  of  them,  and  returned  to  auee,i.'i„    ;„  „ 
with  Elder  Holmes,  and  lo^jTuTk^JT^ 
oe«  morningr  we  wen.  to  Mr.  Tho.,p.o,,',,  and  snen! 
the  day  very  agreeably;  and  at  eveui',,  K!  e.  HoC 
preached  a  mon  excellent  sermon  on  ih.  .uuretf  go 
pe  preaching.    Alter  worship,  brother  Warren  arrived 
and  we  all  spent  the  night  together.  ' 

Wednesday,  Nov,  3d-This  morning,  after  prayer  we 
i«ad  a  solemn  parting  with  Elder  H,.|,„es  and  Itf^^ 
Thompson's  family,  and  rode  to  For.  Eie 'where  we 
crossed  the  river,  and  spent  the  night  at  Buffiilo. 

b^flr  \?""''"^  '"^  '■""''"  '»  "'y  "»"•••>'!'«.  I  would 
oeg  tiie  attention  of  tho  fo,,i..  ,^  .  i-. ..  ,'       '""° 


■  ;FHiS 


88 


MEMOI  R     OF 


situation  of  the  people  in  that  part  of  the  province  of 
Upper  Canada  which  we  visited. 

Fort  Erie  is  at  the  foot  of  Lake  Erie,  just  where  the 
Niagara  river  falls  out  of  that  lake.    In  the  neighborhood 
of  this  fort  is  a  pretty  large  settlement,  sad  the  people 
entirely  destitute  of  a  preached  gospel.    The  village  of 
Newark  lies  oa  the  south  shore  of  Lake  Ontario,  just 
where  it  receives  the  Niagara  River.    There  is  an  exten- 
sive settlement  contiguous  to  this  village,  and  the  people 
almost  without  gospel  privileges.    Tjiere  is  a  Mr.  Addi- 
son, an  Episcopalian  minister,  who  lives  not  far  from 
Newark  J  and  a  Mr.  Young,  a  Presbyterian,  who  lives 
in  town;   otherways  the  people  are  entirely   destitute, 
unless  now  and  then  supplied  by  the  Methodist  riding 
preachers  J  and  that  very  seldom.    The  distance  from 
Fort  Erie  to  Newark,  is  Upwards  of  30  miles,  and  all 
the  way  pretty  thickly  inhabited  on  the  river;  and,  in 
many  places,  large  settlements  back  from  the  river.    At 
the  mouth  of  Chippeewa  Creek,  a  little  above  Niagara 
Falls,  is  a  large  and  thick  settled  neighborhood,  (almost 
a  village,)  and  a  settlement  of  considerable  extent  up  the 
said  Creek.    A  town  by  the  name  of  Stanford  lies  on 
the  river,  a  little  below  the  Great  Falls,  that  is  pretty 
large,  and  thickly  inhabited.    In  this  town  there  is  a  Mr. 
Eastman,  a  Presbyterian  minister,  who  preaches  statedly 
in  three  different  places.    The  village  of  dueenston  is 
situated  on  the  bank  of  the  river,  about  7  miles  above 
Newark:  in  its  vicinity  is  a  pretty  large  settlement;  and 
within  two  or  three  miles,  a  small  village,  at  the  Four- 
Mile-Creek.    These  two  villages,  and  the  adjacent  set- 
tlements, are  entirely  destitute  of  stated  preaching.— 
From  dueenston  goes  the  main  country  road  to  the  head 
of  Lake  Ontario,  which  is  upwards  of  50  miles ;  and 
thence,  one  way,  round  the  head  ot  said  lake,  to  York, 
&c.,  and  the  other  way,  to  the  Grand  River,  where  it 


m^^ 


LEMUEL     COVELL. 


5  province  of 


89 


iver:  and,  in 


mkes  vanous  d.rect.ons,  and  leads  the  traveller  through 
an  excellent  country,  of  vast  extent,  and  many  settFe- 
ments  formed,  and  rapidly  increasing.    From  the  Grand 
River  the  mam  road  keeps  on  to  Long  Point  on  the 
north  shore  of  Lake  Erie,  -^wards  of  WO  m^s  frl 
aueenston.    I„   the  whole  cf  this  extensive  counr 
from  the  Niagara  River  to  Long  Point,  in  one  direcUon 
.0  the  River  Retrench,  the  Governo  's  Road    fa  Tn 
another,  and  to  York  in  a  third,  according  Ttlfe  bes" 
information  we  conld  obtain,  there  are  but  six  ordained 
preachers,  of  any  denomination,  except  the  Methodi"ts 
and  not  many  of  them.    Besides  the  L  Presb    er   „s 
and  one  Episcopalian,  already  mentioned,  there  is  a  Ger- 
man, of  the  Lutheran  order,  settled  abou   10  or  15  miles 
from  Queenslon,  (his  name  I  do  not  recollect)  a  Mr 
Phelps,  an  Episcopalian,  not  far  from  the  head  of  Lale 
Onta^o.  and  a  Mr.  Culver,  a  Presbyterian,  about  10  „ 
15  miles  from  Long  Point;  he  is  not,  however,  settled 
with  any  particular  people,  and  being  old  and  su^e  annu- 
ated,  does  not  preach  very  often.  fo^nnu 

J,t'  " '■T''  f '  .'''''^^  "•"^'-'""^  from  the  United 
States,  al^ongh  there  are  a  considerable  number  from 
Kurope     They  have  been  educated  in  different  prkct 
P  es  and  habits  of  religion;  but  I  venture  to  asserC  h  y 
ow  as  httle  bigotry  to  any  particular  sect,  as  an^  LZ 
pie  that  can  be  found  on  earth.    The  preacher  th'at  ap- 
pears  and  behaves  in  character,  is  sure  to  obtain  ahe'r- 
>ng  hoth  from  high  and  low,  from  ministers  and  people 
where  proper  notice  is  given.  It  is  not  to  be  supposed  howl 
ever  hat  they    ave  no  preference  as  to  particular  system!; 
but  being  in  a  destitute  situation,  many  of  them  are  glad 
to  hear  preaching  from  any  man  of  good  character.    In 
ne  respect  they  are  like  people  in  every  other  place" 
some  are  very  inattentive  to  anything  of  a  religious 
nature,  while  others  are  verv  desirn,,,  .r  K.,„,  ;..!.3.  "? 


'iU 


■jJM^M 


90 


MEMOIR     OF 


and  I  may  say,  without  exaggerating,  that  a  great  pro- 
portion of  them  appeared  very  much  engaged,  and  very 
anxious  to  hear  the  gospel.  As  a  testimony  of  this,  they 
sent  a  written  iLqnnst  to  the  Shaftsbury  Assnriution^ 
praying  them,  in  the  most  pressing  terms,  to  st  d  -ore 
missionaries  into  that  country;  and,  if  possible,  to  st  'e 
one  permanently  there.  To  this  request  more  than  1 50 
persons,  many  of  them  in  eminent  stations,  affixed  their 
signatures;  and  the  number  might  have  been  greatly 
augmented,  if  it  had  been  thought  necessary.    In  short, 

there  appeared  a  g-eneraZ  solicitude  for  a  preached  -os 
pel. 

The  mission  of  Elder  Blood,  accoTuing  to  appearance, 
was  attended  with  many  happy  consequences;  especially 
in  rousing  the  attention  of  the  people  in  many  place  i  to 
hear  preaching ;  and  I  hope,  in  some  instances,  to  their 
everlasting  good.  Mr.  Dunlap  and  Mr.  Proudfit  have 
each  made  a  tour  in  that  country,  and  have  left  evident 
traces  of  their  usefulness.  May  the  Lord  of  the  harvest 
send  more  faithful  laborers  I 

And  shall  ,ve,  my  Christian  brethren,  stand  idle,  or 
look  on  whh  cold  indifference,  while  God,  in  his  provi- 
dence, is  hndh  calling,  "Go  ye  into  the  vineyard,  and 
whatever  is  i-hi  I  will  give  you?"  No;  let  us  awake 
to  a  sense  of  the  importance  of  the  object— let  us  take 
warning  by  the  admonitions  of  Heaven,  and  be  encour- 
aged by  his  promises:  ''The  idle  soul  shall  suffer  hun- 
ger—The willing  and  obedient  shall  eat  the  good  of  the 
land."  Let  us  not  be  content  to  dwell  in  our  ceiled 
houses,  and  see  the  house  of  G'ocZ  lie  neglected;  or  in- 
dulge ourselves  in  sloth,  till  the  clouds  of  just  indigna- 
tion shall  blacken  over  us,  and  burst  in  one  awful  storm 
of  judgments  on  our  guilty  heads !    •  ^ 

But,  it  will  be  answered  by  some,  this  is  mere  enthu- 
siastic declamation.    I  answer,  let  such  go  and  see  fat 


LBM     EL       .vBLL. 


» 


fhem^elves;  and  if  they  have  the  least  degree  of  true 
lehgion  at  heart,  thev  will  share  more  or  Jew  i 
same  kind  of  enthu^  sm.  ^u,  say  some,  have  v  ^  . 
enough  to  do  at  home?  I«  th.  re  not  work  enough  ,r 
all  our  ministers,  v  hout  going  to  Canada?  And  do 
we  not  ueed  their  number  greatly  increased  among  our- 
selves? So  tne  .  ^ser  ouid  interrogate,  if  a  few  pence 
were  calleu  for  to  promote  a  public  good.  But  suppose 
tLere  is  work  enough  for  all  our  ministers,  ind  more  if 
we  had  tnei.  among  ourselves;  shall  we  indul:  that 
se.fis..r"  ,,       contrary  to  the  genius  of  the  «t,  ^ 

we  will  not  consent  for  those  who  are  enlireh  ute 

to  share  with  us  in  the  privileges  we  enjoy  ?         .  ,uch 
niggardliness  never  be  indulged  by  those  w       profess 
'he  Chrisi.an  .  ligion.    What  is  50  cents  per  year,  to  be 
oted  for  the  .nread  of  the  gospel?    One  pound  of 
cea  and  one  of        ir  the  less  in  the  course  of  the  year, 
would  more  than  unount  to  it;  or,  what  would  be  of  far 
less  consequence,   one  ribbon  the  less!    And  if  each 
professor  of  Christianity  in  this  country  would  contrib- 
ute  half  that  sum  annually,  what  a  Jund  would  be 
raised  for  the  promotion  of  the  greatest  good!    And 
what  an  infinite  satisfaction  would  each  liberal  soul 
enjoy,  m  the  thought  of  having  cast  in  a  mite  into  the 
treasury  of  the  house  of  God ! 

On  our  return  from  the  province  of  Canada,  let  me 

mvite  the  reader  to  call,  and  make  a  short  visit  with  the 

poor  savages     Elder  Elkanah  Holmes  i    appointed  by 

he  New-York  Missionary  Society,  n^  a  missionary  to 

the  north-western  Indians.    His  labors  have  been  chiefly 

With  the  Senecas  and  Tuscaroras;  and  much  the  greater 

part  of  the  time  with  the  latter.    The  greater  part  of  the 

fc^enenas  are  well  inclined  to  receive  the  gospel,  and  the 

maxims  of  civilization;  though  there  are  some  of  them 

opposed  to  It,  which  causes  some  trouble,  and 


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c^^^^.o. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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1.0 


I.I 


I4a|2j.    12.5 
1^  1^    112.2 


1.8 


1:25   III  1.4     .6 


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Sciences 

Corporation 


33  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


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MEMOIR     OF 


degree,  retards  his  success  with  them :  notwithstanding, 
the  balance  of  circumstances  is  much  in  his  favor  with 
them.    With  the  Tuscaroras  he  has  been  much  more 
successful.    In  less  than  two  years,  he  has  had  the 
happiness  to  prevail  on  them  to  abandon  many  of  their 
savage  notions:  they  have  entered  into  solemn  covenant 
with  him,  to  abstain  from  the  use  of  spiritous  liquors,  of 
all  kinds;  to  observe  the  Sabbath  as  a  day  of  religious 
worship,  and  to  do  everything  in  their  power  to  restrain 
licentiousness  among  the  rising  generation,  and  become 
acquainted  with  the  Christian  religion.    To  this  coven- 
ant they  adhere,  with  a  scrupulosity  that  might  be  an 
admonition  to  white  people.    There  is  a  very  convenient 
house  erected  in  their  village,  (at  the  expense  of  the 
State)  for  the  purpose  of  meeting  for  worship  and  edu- 
cating their  children.    They  have  an  English  school 
taught  by  a  young  Indian,  who  has  a  good  share  of  Eng- 
lish learning,  and  is  a  very  sober,  respectable  man.   The 
solemn  and  orderly  manner  in  which  they  attend  public 
worship;  the  correctness  and  melody  of  their  singing, 
and  the  solicitude  and  affection  wiih  which  they  listen 
to  a  preached  gospel,  afford  incontestible  evidence  of  the 
success  of  his  labors  among  them;  and,  at  the  same 
time,  hold  out  the  strongest  inducements  to  prosecute 
the  missionary  business  among  other  tribes  of  the  same 
color. 

I  do  not  say  these  things  merely  for  the  sake  of  prais- 
ing our  brother  Holmes:  the  conscious  pleasure  he  enjoys 
in  contemplating  that  his  labors  have  not  been  prompted 
by  selfishness,  nor  prosecuted  with  indifference,  together 
with  a  view  of  the  success  attending  them,  evincing  that 
Heaven  approves  his  undertaking,  must  afford  him  infin- 
itely greater  satisfaction  than  the  prais:  s  of  my  feeble 
pen.  But  my  design  is,  if  possible,  to  engage  the  atten- 
tion of  my  Christian  brethren,  in  general,  to  an  under- 


LEMUEL     COVELL.  Q^ 

taking  so  laudable  in  its  nature,  and  hitherto  so  benehcial: 
m  Its  effects,  as  to  render  it  worthy  the  attention  of  all 
who  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  or  have  any,  true  de- 
sires for  the  good  of  souls. 

pJt'^GoTnd '?'"",  t""  .^''""  «"«  •»  his  disci- 
pies,  10     (ro,  and  teach  all  nations,"  &c.  iiolds  rmnrf  ., 

,resen.,  and  will  forever,  and  is  equally  b    ding  on  a 
gospel    mimsters.     The  aposlles  might,  undoubledlv 
have  found  full  employ  at  Jerusalem,  in  leadlg  aid' 
eomforfng  the  brethren,  without  going  abroad    taU 
was  not  the  will  „f  God  they  should  contiH," 
small  a  circle;  nor  could  they  have  complied  wiiith^ 
.njuncliou  of  their  commission  in  so  doing    buTwhil 
some  of  them  tarried  there,  others  we'io     sir    e' 
Genl.es;  and  by  such  means  ihe  gospel  was  s  r    dl 
In  short,  the  progress  of  the  Christian  religion    IVnm 
place  to  place,  has  uniformly  been  by  the  la  fof  ^n 
erams,  or  missionaries;  and  must  continue  to  ptr  ,s' 
bv  .he  same  means,  (so  far  as  human  means  are  nlZl- 
sary,)  through  the  whole  ivorld. 

Once  more.    It  is  the  command  of  God  that  those  who 
so  on  this  warfare  should  be  provided  for  by  those  who 
profess  to  be  friends  to  his  cause.    How  fnconsLI, 
hen,  ,s  It  with  our  professions  of  regard  for  the  unbl , 
.ng  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom,  a^d  f„  tt  /o'd    " 
souls,  ,0  be  unwilhng  to  spare  our  ministers!  „oT  and 
hen.  to  go  and  bear  the  glad  tidings  of  the  oosTel^n 
.Slant  climes;  or,  if  we  coldly  content  for  hC'o    ' 
0  send  them  unprovided  for-    Such  a  spirit  i   v^ry  dl?! 
ferent  from  that  which  actuated  the  saints  i„  pr  mitte 
..mes;  and  ,s  directly  contrary  to  the  command  of  He7v 
en,  and  to  the  genius  of  the  gospel. 

Let  us  then,  awake  universally,  and  use  our  utmost 
to  send  the  gospel  to  the  western  boundaries  of  Lr ^ 
unent.    While  we  are  praying  for  the "^eL  ~ 


"94 


MEMOIR     OF 


«t 


D  ft'' 


gospel— for  the  enlargement  of  the  empire  of  the  Re- 
deemer—and for  the  conversion  of  the  heathen— let  us 
cast  in  our  mite,  as  the  Lord  hath  prospered  us,  for  the 
attainment  of  those  glorious  ends.  Let  not  our  practice 
contradict  our  prayers,  nor  put  us  to  the  blush  at  the 
throne  of  grace ! 

The  providence  of  God  is  loudly  calling  upon  us  to  be 
up  and  doing— the  earnest  solicitations  of  the  poor  sav- 
ages chide  our  slothfulness— and  the  hope  of  success  in 
sufficient  to  prompt  our  zeal.  Already  has  the  holy  fire 
begun  to  kindle  in  the  hearts  of  many :  may  it  soon 
become  a  universal  flame ! 

To  return  to  my  narrative.  On  the  morning  of  Thurs- 
day, the  3d  of  November,  we  left  Buffalo,  and  pursued  our 
journey  homewards.  We  called  at  most  of  the  places 
where  we  preached  on  our  way  out,  and  in  many  where 
we  had  not.  On  arriving  at  Bloomfield,  we  found  the 
work  of  the  Lord  going  on,  in  a  very  comfortable  man- 
ner: ma»y  young  people,  and  some  others,  had  been 
made  to  rejoice  in  the  pardon  of  sin,  during  our  absence. 
I  made  a  two-days'  visit  in  the  neighborhood,  while 
brother  Warren  took  a  different  route.  The  weather 
was  now  very  uncomfortable;  but  no  inconvenience  was 
sufficient  to  prevent  the  people  from  attending  meetings 
for  worship.  Their  hearts  were  on  fire!  I  preached 
with  them  four  times,  and  then  took  a  most  afiectionate 
leave  of  them,  and  rode  to  Canandaigua,  made  a  visit 
with  the  brethren  there,  preached  with  them  3  times, 
and  left  them,  though  with  real  regret. 

On  Wednesday,  the  16th,  I  joined  brother  Warren 
again,  at  Scipio,  where,  according  to  appointment,  we 
attended  a  council.  From  Scipio  we  took  difierent 
routes,  and  preached  chiefly  in  places  where  we  had  not 
visited  before,  till  we  met  in  Onondaga,  the  Monday 
following. 


LEMUEL     COVPrr 

95 

Wednesday,  23d-We  this  day  arrived  at  Ca«„     • 
where,  accordinff  to  awrporv,,.  *         «^"^ea  at  Oazenovia, 
order  .'o  settle  s!me  mZ^l  r.""'""^"  »  '"""oiLia' 

.ome  individaals;  andt  J  C?."'"'""'  '""' 
matter,,.  I  have  reason  toblLrlZ.''''- '"  """'» 
•ome  degree  benefieial.  At  Z  >  """""^  ""  '" 
Elder  Peter  Ph.  Roots  Eldfr  H„      "^   °*  "^^  "«  ^'* 

«e  pretty  „„/h  del,  tufe:?';;'!    ;!/"'/  ""  ^"""''^ 
desirous  to  hear.  Preaching,  and  seemed  very 

On  the  morning  of  Saiurdair  ih.  oci, 
br  brother  Warren,  and  rode  Tn  ''""''"•"  J"'"''* 

snowstorm,  ,o  the' boundart.  „f  r*"- r"™"''""'"''' 
parted;  brother  Warren  in ?.i^-  "'^"'''  ■"''«'«  ^^ 

■•"Oneida,  and  then  pursue  his  wf  '"• '^°1  "'^  «''^^''"' 
without  joining  me  a/ak     n^?  '-"mediately  home, 

»pend  the  SabbatUn  Wes^  ^TV  ^""'^  ''"»'"'«<'  'o 
■»e  a.  a  certain  pface  ^  hat  ,1"  '  "l^  "'"'^  '»  ""«' 
and  spend  the  ensuin °  t\^"[ ""  ^""•'"y  evening, 
with  them,I  rode  ,o  wf  T  '""'  "'^-  After  parting 
and  spent    he  niih.l/"^"""''''  ="  ^'^  Stockbridge 

IndianLprea  hX'e  ,:r"'  ^^  "'"' ""»  '«"'  "^ 
Westmoreland,  me   Eld  r  Root'  """/'  "'"'"^  «">«  '« 
"iig  sermon.  ^'""''  ""^  P'^'ehed  an  ere- 

it;:ktiSs"',h'e"r^''  f  '-^^^'-.^ 

« ^siting and preacht    aldonT  1  ^^'""''"l^d, 
<o  Whitestown    wherl  V,  !u    ""Tuesday  evening  rode 

Parsons',  anTl' r^dt  :  U  e,  '    J""'  P"'  "?  "  ^Ider 
sermon.  ^"°*'  ""^  P'eaehed  an  evening 

Wednesday,  30th-Joined   brother  Root,  «  Elder 


ill 


-i    1: 


ii. 


f -f|t 


96 


MEMOIR     OF 


"i 


k 


'  W- 


Parsons',  where  we  took  dinner,  and  then  rode  to  Utica 
and  spent  the  remainder  of  the  day,  and  evening.  The 
remainder  of  the  week,  till  Saturday,  we  spent  in  visiting 
and  preaching  in  different  neighborhoods,  in  Deerfield 
and  its  vicinity;  and  on  Saturday,  the  3d  of  December, 
we  parted,  and  I  rode  to  Whitestown,  where  I  held  a 
conference  with  the  people,  and  tarried  the  night  with 
Elder  Parsons. 

Lord's-day,  4th— I  preached  in  the  morning  at  \yhites- 
town,  and  in  the  afternoon  at  Utica ;  and  at  evening  had 
a  very  agreeable  religious  conference  with  the  people  at 
Utica. 

On  the  morning  of  Monday  5th,  I  set  out  on  a  tour 
down  the  Black  River.  I  rode  upwards  of  100  miles 
down  said  river,  the  most  of  the  way  very  thickly  set- 
tled, and  almost  entirely  destitute  of  preaching,  except 
by  missionaries.  I  spent  about  two  weeks  on  this  tour, 
and  preached  and  visited  in  a  number  of  places,  and 
found  the  people  very  desirous  of  enjoying  gospel  privi- 
leges. I  think  it  is  the  duty  of  missionaries  to  visit 
those  infant  settlements,  till  they  can  be  otherways  sup- 
plied with  a  preached  gospel. 

After  performing  this  tour,  I  made  my  way  home- 
wards, as  fast  as  possible,  considering  the  badness  of  the 
travelling.  I  preached  occasionally,  and  made  several 
short  visits  on  the  way ;  and  on  the  evening  of  Friday, 
the  30th,  to  my  inexpressible  joy,  I  arrived  safely  at  my 
own  house,  in  Pittstown,  and  found  my  family  in  health, 
after  an  absence  of  129  days :  in  which  lime,  I  had  trav- 
elled more  than  1600  miles;  preached  125  sermons,  and 
baptized  21  persons;  besides  visiting,  holding  several 
conferences  with  the  Indians,  and  many  with  the  white 
people,  in  different  places— attending  one  ordination,  and 
several  councils  on  other  occasions. 


LEMUEL     COVELL 


97 


APPENDIX. 


sermons,  and 


or  l:retv:;:r  ti":  -r™ '-'  ^  ™-« 

oCbuiUiasahousea.  said  vXe  tf'  M  ''°  '""J^" 
and  for  educating  .heir  childr  f^lj  L  "e  ^  T> 
was  waiting  f„,  .^eir  answer,  wC  w   arS  af BuT 

fr .he na^e of o^  d :b:o:rer:f v'^r'^'  ^*''^^'- 

.0  be  a  propi,e,,  ajaia'st  le  b  din!  „'A,:\°  P"'^""' 
c«n„gany  boots  from  .he  whi,  pe'op  „  2  ,^"'''  "'" 
tion  of  their  children    n-  h^  '^  "^^  ms.rnc- 

pal  chiefs  of  ,he  One  da:a  t  d  c^"""''  '"^  P™"'" 
P-ent.  The  object  was'^c  elf  7"''  "t""  ^""^ 
iween  .he  two  contending       ,  '^""""^""i^n  be- 

">.h.  be  bui,t,  .h:°rs  r/rd;;;  it*  .^  "-"^ 

instructed  in  .he  princinles  of  .h„         7  ""  """'<"> 

I'y  general  and  a.;::   fa^r    L^r^'ith":"'"''™' 
on  the  result  of  .his  council     T^!L  ^''"'"''^ 

Jacket,  was  a  strenuous  advocalforr'  •""""•'  "^^^ 
pel  and  building  .he  house    and  !  '^''/"'^"""S  ">«  SO^" 
were  on  his  side     Aft"''       „     "•""">'  "^""^  ""'i™ 
Jec.  upwards   f  en  dt;r'  '"'"""""•  ">«  """ 

i-ave  the  house  b^ilSd'titrMrnr'"'""  "• 
them  at  their  connp.-J  L  ,  l^oJmes  to  meet 

l.i»  the  folTowr  sSrinl"'  ''^''  '"''^'  "^'--^  ^ 

»"  of  the  gentlem  n'  h   ;  fte,  7/27"  k'  ""  ""'""■' 
the  same  to  wri,ln„  .  no'oa"er  named,  who  commi.ted 

-'e,bearg:hri::trr^'''''^""""^''-«'«- 


D 


1 

of  1 
hav 


ting 


long 

and 

shall 

Fc 

repcE 
erati( 
custo 
are  r 
whicl 

Fa^ 

for  ou 

CUStOE 

ihey  ii 

render 

passed 

wester 

Fatl 

of  not  I 

auuml] 

and  oth 

odge  of 


LEMtJEL     COVBLL. 


"9$ 


A  SPEECH, 

10  the  North-western  IndlZ        '"^'''  "^i^noiary 
Father— 

We  thank  the  Great  Spirit  abovo   f^r  ii.. 
of.eeti„,  together  ^>^iX     wl' tt^^ZZl 
have  made  so  many  delays  on  our  oart    nn/7  , 

and  concluded,  in  a  »enml  co„„  7,!"    !""  ""'"''"''■ 
shall  be  no  dii^cu.t/a'Srru:';:';^  ''"-""  •''- 
Fat!^r-We  have  heard  the  advice  which  you  have 
repeatedly  g.ven  us,  and  have  taken  it  coolly  fato  consM 
eration,  so  that  ail  our  people  may  understand  ,    To' , 
customs  are  diiTerent  from  ours:  We  ogree  to  yoirs    bu 

'Z  Tu  ^f"  '"  '■"S"  ""^'  "t  our  own  cust'om^ 
whtch  have  been  handed  down  to  us  by  our  forefrther 

J-o^Aer-Some  years  ago,  the  reason  which  we  -.siVn 
for  our  forefathers  not  laying  hold  of  the  gosnel   a      .ll 
customs  of  the  white  people,  is,  that  theyl  pi  d' tha 
they  mhabtted  a  tract  of  country  sufficiemlv  eCs tl  to 
render  them  independent  of  the  white  people;  but  yo„ 
passed  by  and  looked  overus,  and  wen.  to  v  sit  „„« 
western  nations. 

of  ^ottr!?"'  ^"'°^'^  '^'  '"^^^"^'  ^^^'  ^«"«d  the  evil 
of  not  attending  to  good  advice.    Forinstanrp   w/ 

a  number  of  different  nations-Delawari;  Tuscaror^ 
and  others- Who,  from  a  want  of  education  and  a  know  ' 
«dge  of  your  customs,  have  been  deceived  by  the  wK^  " 

»7#  '  " 


•  '« l:l 


i.'iililUPH' 


100 


MEMOIR     OF 


ittt' 


people,  and  become  their  slaves,  and  have  been  seen  at. 
their  doors,  cutting  wood  and  making  brooms,  to  earn 
their  bread ;  when,  if  they  had  followed  the  customs  of 
their  forefathers;  they  would  have  known  better,  and 
would  not  have  been  there. 

Father — This  is  the  reason  why  we  gradually  com- 
ply with  what  theJVIissionary  Society  has  recommended 
to  us,  that  we  may  not  be  deceived  and  taken  advantage 
of,  like  those  we  mentioned  before.  We  have  great 
hopes  from  the  information  we  have  received  from  the 
young  Chief,  whom  the  Missionary  Society  have  now 
under  their  care,  that  he  will  be  of  great  service  to  us, 
and  be  able  to  read  our  papers,  and  explain  all  writings 
which  we  may  receive  from  the  Missionary  Society,  oi 
on  any  other  business. 

Faihei — It  has  been  recommended  to  us  by  your  great 
Chief,  General  Washington,  that  we  should  be  united 
as  friends  and  brothers,  and  learn  to  cultivate  the  soil, 
and  attend  to  everything  that  would  be  for  our  comfort 
and  happiness. 

Father — You  have  been  sent  here  by  a  number  of 
those  who  wear  the  same  cloth  with  yourself:  Their 
good  intention  in  sending  you  among  us  was  to  open  our 
eytfs,  and  to  instruct  us  in  those  things  which  will  be  for 
our  good. 

Father— We  are  convinced  that  the  Missionary  Soci- 
ety are  friends  to  the  Indians. 

Father — You  have  taken  a  great  deal  of  pains  and 
trouble,  in  coming  among  us  to  instruct  us  for  cur  good. 
But  we  make  not  the  smallest  doubt  that  there  are  a 
number  of  Avhito  people  who  have  doubted  whether  v/e 
'  shall  eves  lay  hold  of  the  gospel,  and. of  the  good  in- 
structions which  you  have  come  so  far  to  give  us:— 
But  we  hope  to  convince  those  of  that  opinion,  that  our 


LEMUEL     COVELL. 


101 


OD,  that  our 


mended  to  us.    No.  ,),at  wo  sa    Xa.  1  tillli",  '"?" 

Father- Wc  Imvo  been  a  long  ,in,o  counscllin.  amo,  . 
0  rselves  abou.  building  ,l.e  house  for  wo  si  JZ- 
edaea„„g  our  children,  which  you  have  reco  me„  ed t 
.  s;  and  are  now  ail  agreed  that  i,  shall  be  b  U  a  .h" 
place  where  you  have  sluck  the  stake;  and  h  ne  thaH 

Missionary  Sodrv    fo  ^^'"'  '''""''  ""''  "'' 

Lave  heard  -he  g:<;d  efferuTrl/rj  Tl'  "•     ^' 

^^'^^;^^^^^^^^^^^ 

carry  hini    n  Jearnino-  •  bnf  xviii  i       ^  "  '''^^  ^^^"2  to 
the  Missionnr.  ^      .""  ^eave  it  to  our  fathers, 

.o";zrsfr.r;rLtutVt^nsrr^^^^^^^ 

Falher-Vpon  thi,  subject  we  will  stop;  but  probablv 
say  so,„e.h„g  further  on  another  subject  ^  '' 

num^    TrutwUhT"'  "'  '"■"•  """  ^^  ''""  -«  - 

~::,^rtv?-r/- 


were  aftPnr?ln„     '  ""''  ^'"^^^^  ^^en 

were  attending    to  our  customary  worshin.  .bnnt 


102 


MEMOIR     OF 


middle  of  cold  weather.  We  make  it  a  custom  to  meat 
together  at  that  time,  at  our  several  villages,  (which  is  a 
custom  handed  down  to  us  by  our  forefathers)  to  return 
thanks  to  the  Great  Spirit  above,  for  the  success  we  have 
had  in  hunting  our  game  for  the  support  of  our  families. 

Father— There  is  another  time  when  we  return  thanks 
to  the  Great  Spirit:  It  is  when  our  crops  become  ut  for 
use— it  being  from  Him  that  we  receive  all  those  good 
things. 

These  customs  now  mentioned  we  intend  to  continue 
in ;  and  we  hope  you  will  have  no  objection  to  our  fol- 
lowing them. 

Father— You  would  not  like  to  have  us  deprive  you 
of  any  of  your  customs !  How  would  you  feel  if  we 
were  to  insist  on  your  leaving  off  your  customs,  and 
adopting  ours?  For  this  reason,  Father,  we  will  retain 
the  customs  before  mentioned,  and  attend  to  yours;  and 
pray  to  the  Great  Spirit,  that  both  may  lead  us  to  happi- 
ness. 

Father— This  is  all  we  have  to  say  at  this  time— only 
that  we  wish  that  a  copy  of  the  Talk  delivered  this  day 
may  be  sent  to  our  fathers,  the  Missionary  Society,  and 
that  one  may  be  left  with  us;  so  that  if  it  should  be 
forgotten  by  our  old  men,  it  may  be  seen  and  understood 
by  our  children  hereafter. 


An  extemporaneous  reply  to  the  foregoing  Talk^  by 
the  Reverend  Elkanah  Holmes,  missionary. 

My  Children — 

I  thank  the  Great  Spirit  above,  that  I  am  allowed  to 
meet  with  the  chiefs  of  the  Senecas,  Onondagas  and 
Cayugas  this  day.  I  thank  you  all,  my  children,  that 
you  have  been  so  kind  as  to  meet  me  here  at  this  time. 
I*  have  had  a  great  desire,  ever  since  I  met  you,  at  your 
(ire-place,  last  fall,  to  meet  you  again  in  council.. 


*rr 


■■EMUEL  OOVBLL. 


108 


I  observe  that  you  have  ,aid  to  me,  that  you  are  .orry 

ha°  ih^n  iT  ,"""'»°«'l  ""y  d^'-y:    But  I  retnembe^ 

hat  when  I  first  came  to  visit  you,  I  requested  you  to  be 
dehberate,  and  cool;  and  to  do  nothing  in  a  hurry.  You! 
doubtless,  remember,  that  I  have  often  told  you  that  i 
was  a  great  thing  ,o  receive  and  obey  the  gospel  of 
Jesu.CAr,„.  I  have  also  often  told  you,  that  if  ,0,^ 
were  hasty  m  making  up  your  minds,  you  would  be  hasty 
m  forgetfng:  that,  therefore,  there  was  a  necessity  of 
calm  dehberafon  upon  matters  of  such  .neat  importance. 

I  have  been  well  acquainted,  ever  since  last  fall,  that 
you  have  had  a  great  deal  of  trouble  and  difficulty  in 
your  nattons;  and  I  have  been  much  concerned  about  it. 
Smce  hat  t.me,  I  have  often  prayed  to  the  Great  Spirit 
above,  tha  he  would  help  you  to  settle  your  difficuWe.^ 
m  a  way  that  would  make  for  peace.  Now  1  thank.he 
Great  Sp.rt.  that  he  has  heard  my  prayers  so  far,  .1... 
you  have  peace  and  good-will  among  you. 

Now,  Children,  if  I  had  time,  I  would  be  glad  to  re- 

day ,  but  I  have  not  t.me  at  present.    But  I  will  tell  you 
this,  Jam  well  pleased  with  the  most  of  what  you  have 

Now,  one  thing  more.  Children,  I  will  say  to' you.  I 
hope  by  the  leave  of  the  Great  Spirit,  to  return  home, 
and  to  consider  of  the  Talk  that  you  have  delivered  ,0 
me  at  this  timej  and  to  return  with  my  interpreter,  and 
give  you  an  answer  in  writing;  that  you,  and  your  chil- 
dren after  you,  may  always  have  it  in  your  power  to 

d^v-M     .  '^^' '"  ''"'>'  "•  ^''«  y""  >>"•  'Poken  this 

Soc'ie'v  tha.'tb'°  ""'\''  ""^  "^  "  '"  'he  Mis«on.ry 
Society,  that  they  may  know  what  I  have  said  to  you.- 

!oT  T»irf   "^'°  J°"  '"J"''''  «"<»  themacopy  of 
your  Talk  to  me  at  this  time,  and  also  leave  .ne  wilt 

you,  "" 


104 


MEMOIR     or 


All  that  I  have  farther  to  say,  is,  that  I  pray  that  the 
Great  Spirit  may  bless  you  with  peace  and  good-will 
among  yourselves,  and  make  you  happy  in  this  world, 
and  prepare  you  for  happiness  after  death. 

"Buffalo  Creek,  28th  Sept.  1803. 
We,  the  subscribers,  do  hereby  certify,  that  we  were 
present  when  the  speech  of  Red  Jacket,  a  Sachem  of 
the  Seneca  nation   of  Indians,  vms  delivered  to  the 
Hev.  Elkanah  Holmes,  missionary  to  the  North-western 
Indians;  and  that  the  above  is  a  correct  translation  of 
"'it,  as  interpreted  to  us  by  Messrs.  Johnson  and  Smith, 
Indian  interpreters.    And  likewise,  that  the  extempo- 
^raneous  reply  of  the  Rev.  Elkanah  Holmes  to  the 
Sachems  of  the  Seneca,   Onondaga  and  Cayuga  na- 
tions, assembled  in  council  at  the  time  of  the  delivery 
of  the  aforesaid  speech,  is  also  above  correctly  stated. 

DAvm  Thompson, 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  County  of  Genesee. 

John  W.  Brownson, 
Lieut,  of  nth  Reg.  U.  States  Infantry.^^ 

A  few  days  before  I  left  the  Tuscarora  Indians,  agree- 
able to  previous  arrangement,  Elder  Holmes  and  myself 
attended  a  council  with  them,  at  their  village ;  where, 
after  a  short  introduction,  I  delivered  them  the  following 
Talk;  and,  by  their  request,  left  a  copy  of  it  with  them. 

Sacheme,  Chiefs,  Warriors,  and  all  you  of  the     • 
Tuscarora  Nation  here  present,  attend ! 
Children — 

I  thank  the  Great  Spirit  above,  for  the  opportunity  1 
have  had  several  times  heretofore,  to  meet  with  you  at 
your  fire-place,  to  worship  the  Great  Spirit,  and  to  con- 
verse about  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ:  arid  I  feel  thank- 
ful to  him  that  I  have  the  opportunity  of  meeting  so 
many  of  you  here  this  day ;  and  I  pray  the  Great  Spirit 


^"1 


LEMUEL     COVELL. 


105 


to  help  „,  that  we  may  all  attend  to  the  business  before 

^rwelattll:'''"'^^"'^"'---^''-''^ 
CMdren-Viow  I  thank  .he  Great  Spirit  that  he  has 

thank  you,  Children,  that  so  many  of  you  have  been  so 
kmd  as  to  come  to  this  place  to  meet  at  this  time 

CMUren-1  will  now  speak  a  few  words   in  your 
ears,  to  let  you  know  .he  reason  of  my  coming."!,^ 
you  at  your  iire-place.  ^ 

M,j  Broaers-The  ministers  that  sen.  me  in.o  .his 

country    are  un,.ed  in  the  same  good  cause  wi"h  you 

good  fathers  and  kind  friends,  .be  New-York  M^sioLr, 

Socre.y-they  are  all  0!    .,em  friends  to  you,  a  do" 

the  nattons  of  your  color;  and  feel  a  desire  to  open  you 

eyes  to  see  and  your  ears  to  hear,  the  good  word  of  21 

gospel,  so  that  you  and  your  children  may  receive  it  wi^h 

all  your  heart,  and  .hat  i,  may  make  you  wise  and  hap  y 

'»  this  world,  and  happy  after  death.  " 

Chmren-Yoa   must  know  that  your  fathers     the 

ot  al    CO  ors  and  languages;   and  that   tbty   pray  the 
Orea  Spirit  above,  to  open  your  hear.s,  and  ,he  hear,  of 

oro.liers,  the  Missionary  Society  of  Now- York  to  Ik.en 
.0  .he  good  words  .hey  have  r^pea.edly  Jo  en  „    «" 
and  1.  made  us  very  glad  to  hear  .ha.  you  hadso  ft; 
showed  your  good-vvill   towards  them,  .ha.  you  hid  ~ 
ceived  our  good  brother  Holmes,  when  .hey  sen.  hi*  t 

feurChriT'^^r""  """  """-  '"  .he    o5o 
feus  Christ,  and  to  teach  you  ,he  will  of  ihe  Great 

amrm-Nov,  this  is  the  reason  .hat*  out  brothers 
i-iiaisurs  V.L.  seiu  me  aud  my  brother  into  this 


106 


MEMOIR    OP 


country  to  preach  to  the  white  people,  directed  us  to 
eome  and  visit  you,  at  your  tire-place,  and  to  see  how  far 
you  had  gone  in  the  good  path,  and  to  hear  you  speak 
your  minds  about  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  so  that  we 
can  tell  them,  when  we  return  to  their  fire-place,  what 
situation  you  are  in,  so  that  they  may  know  what  to  do 
hereafter. 

CAi7c/re?2— Therefore  I  have  come  with  father  Holmes 
several  times  to  your  fire-place.  I  have  seen  the  good 
attention  you  give  to  what  he  says  to  you  from  time  to 
time.  I  have  heard  the  good  words  you  have  spoken  to 
him  and  me  when  we  were  with  you— I  have  heard  you 
sing  praises  to  the  Great  Spirit— I  have  heard  you  thank 
the  Great  Spirit  for  sending  missionaries  to  preach  the 
gospel  to  you— and  I  have  heard  you  say  that  you  intend 
to  go  on  as  fast  as  you  can,  and  that  you  desire  to  be  led 
into  all  truth,  so  that  you  and  your  children  may  lay  hold 
of  all  the  good  things  that  are  spoken  to  you  in  the  holy 
book,  and  hold  them  fast  to  the  latest  generations. 

And  now,  Children— I  have  a  few  things  to  say  to  you; 
I  thank  you  for  your  kindness  to  father  Holmes— I  thank 
you  that  you  believe  him  to  be  your  friend,  and  that  you 
are  friendly  to  him.  He  is  your  friend,  and  a  friend  to 
all  the  people  of  your  color,  and  desires  to  do  you  all  the 
good  he  can.  He  desires  that  all  your  nations  may  re- 
ceive the  gospel,  so  that  you  may  be  wise  and  happy: 
and  I  thank  you  that  you  are  kind  to  mother  Holmes, 
and  that  you  are  pleased  with  her,  and  behave  well  tow- 
ards her.  I  hope  you  will  remember  that  your  father 
Hoimes  has  come  a  great  way  to  preach  the  gospel  to 
you;  and  that  he  has  taken  a  great  deal  of  pains  to  assist 
you,  so  that  you  now  have  a  good  house  built,  to  meet  in 
to  worship  the  Great  Spirit,  to  hear  the  gospel  preached 
to  you;  and  for  your  children  to  meet  in,  to  learn  to  read, 
and  sing  praises  to  tlie  Great  Spirit,  and  to  learn  all 
good  things. 


LEMUEL     COVELL. 


10l7 


ChMr      -^Look  on  father  Holmes!    He  is  old   and 
must  sooL  ..aye  you,  and  go  the  wajr  that  all  our  fathers 
have  gone.     Then  you  will  never  more  hear  him  speak 
to  you  about  the  will  of  the  Great  Spirit,  nor  about  those 
good  things  that  will  make  you  wise  and  happy.    Then 
you  will  need  some  other  one  to  instruct  you  as  he  has 
done     Now,  Children-U  you  are  kind  to  him  and 
mother  Holmes,  and  if  you  open  your  ears  and  listen  to 
the  good  things  that  he  takes  so  much  pains  to  teach 
you    and  receive  them  with  all  your  heart,  then  your 
good  friends  and  fathers,  the  Missionary  Society,  and  the 
ministers  that  have  sent  me  to  visit  you,  will  feel  more 
encouraged  in  their  hearts,  and  their  hands  made  more 
strong;  and  they  will  send  more  missionaries  to  preach 
to  you  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  kad  you  further 
in  the  knowledge  of  all  those  good  things  which  will  be 
lor  your  happiness,  both  in  this  world  and  after  death  ~ 
But  If  you  and  your  children  are  not  kind  to  father  Holmes 
&  mother  Holmes,and  if  you  do  not  listen  to  the  good  word^ 
which  he  speaks  to  you,  then  their  hearts  will  sink,  their 
heads  will  hang  down,  iheir  hands  will  fall  and  be  very 
weak,  and  the  tears  will  run  down  their  cheeks!    Then, 
they  will  be  afraid  to  send  any  more  missionaries;  and 
missionaries  will  be  afraid  to  come  among  you. 

Children-^ovr  I  am  pleased  to  see  that  you  give 
good  attention  when  you  meet  to  worship  the  Great 
Spirit,  and  to  hear  the  gospel  preached.  1  am  pleased  to  • 
see  that  your  young  men  give  good  attention,  and  behave 
civilly.  It  makes  me  very  glad,  and  makes  my  hands 
feel  strong,  to  see  how  kind  the  Sachems  and  Chiefs 
are,  in  keeping  good  regulations  among  their  people,  and 
for  the  kind  words  they  have  said  to  me  when  I  have- 
been  with  you  heretofore. 

I  am  pleased  to  hear  you  sing  praises  to  the  Great- 
spirit.    1  am  pleased  that  vc\n  aro  tKn^ur.,!  ._  .l-  y^ 


108 


MEMOIR     OF 


lla 


Spirit  above,  for  sending  missionaries  among  you.  I  am 
well  pleased  that  you  have  said  to  me,  that  you  intend  to 
go  on  as  fast  as  you  can  in  the  good  path  ;  and  that  you 
desire  to  be  lee*  into  all  truth,  so  that  you  and  your  chil- 
dren may  lay  hold  of  all  the  good  things  that  are  spoken 
to  you  in  the  holy  book,  and  hold  them  fast  to  the  end  of 
your  life. 

Now  I  will  say  one  thing  more  to  you.  I  was  pleased 
when  I  was  with  you  last  Lord's-day,  to  see  that  you 
remember  to  observe  the  holy  Sabbath— you  were  all 
peaceable  on  that  day — your  old  men  and  your  young 
men  were  all  still  and  quiet,  and  there  was  no  playing 
balls,  nor  any  other  disorderly  behavior  to  make  disturb- 
ance. Now  this  makes  me  very  glad,  that  you  have 
gone  so  far  in  obeying  the  gospel,  that  you  all  behaved 
well  on  that  day. 

Children— The  earth  belongs  to  the  great  God  above! 
He  made  it  for  himself:  and  He  made  the  first  man  and 
the  first  woman ;  and  all  men,  of  every  color  and  Ian- 
guage,  came  from  them,  and  therefore  are  all  brothers.—- 
Now  the  Great  Spirit  commanded  the  first  man  and 
woman  to  cultivate  the  soil,  and  subdue  its  wild  nature, 
so  that  it  might  become  tame,  and  bring  forth  food,  and 
all  good  things  for  the  use  of  man,  so  that  they  may  be 
comfortable  and  happy ;  and  that  they  may  flourish  and 
grow  up  like  tall  trees,  and  have  many  branches.  For 
this  reason  it  is  the  duty  of  all  men  to  be  industrious, 
and  to  work  at  some  calling  or  business  that  will  help  to 
subdue  the  earth,  and  make  it  fruitful;  and  the  gospel  of 
Jesus  Christ  requires  them  so  to  do:  and  you  may  see,  if 
you  will  look  around  among  white  people,  how  much 
*inore  comfort,  and  how  many  more  good  things  those 
enjoy  who  obey  the  command  of  the  gr^at  God,  in  these 
things,  than  those  do  who  live  in  idleness  or  by  hunting. 
Now  I  hope  you  will  be  willing  to  be  industrious,  and  to 


LEMUEL    COVELI.  . 


109 


be  honest  and  sober,  and  >o  take  the  greater  part  of  the 
barthen  of  calfvaung  the  soil  upca  yourselves,  instead 
of  leanng  it  npon  yo„r  women,  that  you  may  abundant- 
y  prosper,  and  have  abundance  of  all  good  thingsTand 
1  am  very  glad  to  see  ,ha,  you  have  begun  so  to  do  If 
you  go  on  as  you  have  begun,  you  will  soon  be  a  wise 
and  happy  people. 

Children-l  expect  your  fathers  and  brothers,  the 
m,ms  ers  who  sent  n,e  to  visit  yon,  will  make  their  neck! 
Ions  efore  I  return  to  our  fire-place,  wishin.  1  .ea, 
what  I  have  seen  and  heard  among  you. 

Now,  CA«*m_I  expect  soon  to  bid  yon  farewell  and 
return  home,  and  tell  the  good  news  of  wh„  fT 
-ong  you,  to  all  those  go'od  wile  pop  el  ,;;:;",:•: 
the  happmess  of  Indians,  and  to  let  them  know  thl  lood 
words  you  have  spoken  lo  me     Tk„    c        .        ^ 
leave  with  you  wha't  I  "J.  Z  to^ytt^d  y'^V: 
you  may  read  it  often,  and  that  yorZyolj'Zl 
may  remember  it;  and  that  it  may  be  remeSed^     " 
latest  generations,  that  I  am  your  friend  an^b  1         1 
that  those  who  sent  me  are  friend   and  brlh"'  '"" 
-  -sh  yot.  happ;ness,  hothtr^irrnra^^:^ 

Sachems  and  Chiefs! 

You  are  ihe  fathers  of  ihis  nation      t  i. 
be  faithful  to  watch  over  th  m  a  I 2;^.       '7'"  ^^^^ 
that  they  obpv  the  Jjnli     r  t  ^''  ^°°'^'  ^°^  see 

the  Grea't  &!::^rL:^^;^^ti  ^\V  ''-' 

«o  this  people.  ^         ^""^^  ^"^  ^^  ^  Wessing 

Warriors  ! 

You  that  are  Husbands! 


,^imr^. 


'^-^M-..,4 


MO 


MEMOIR    OF 


w 


Remember  that  the  holy  Bible  requires  all  that  have 
wives  to  love  them,  and  not  be  cruel  td  themj  but  to  do 
them  good,  and  provide  things  for  their  comfort  and  hap- 
piness. 
And  to  those  of  you  that  are  Wives! 

That  holy  book  commands  those  women  that  have 
husbands,  to  love  them,  and  be  kind  to  them,  and  help 
them  take  care  of  their  children,  and  keep  them  clean 
and  wholesome,  and  teach  them  to  love  and  obey  the 
Great  Spirit. 
You  that  are  Little  Children! 

The  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  teaches  little  children  to 
obey  their  parents  in  all  things.  Therefore,  I  beseech 
you  to  be  good  children,  obey  your  parents,  and  hearken 
to  what  old  people  say  to  you,  that  you  may  be  wise  and 

happy. 

Now  I  pray  that  the  spirit  of  all  love  and  peace  may 
dwell  in  all  your  hearts,  and  make  you  love  Jesus  Christ 
and  one  another,  and  all  men,  and  live  in  peace  and 
quietness  among  yourselves;  and  that  after  death  we 
may  all  meet  together  in  that  world  of  joy,  where  all 
those  of  every  nation  and  color,  that  have  obeyed  the 
gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  here  on  earth,  will  unite,  and 
forever  continue,  together  with  holy  angels,  to  sing  prais- 
es to  the  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost,  who  make  but 

i}ne  God— Amen.  ^  ^ 

^  Lemuel  Covell. 

Tuscarora  Village,  Oct.  29,  1803. 

On  the  Monday  after  the  delivery  of  the  foregoing 
Speech,  I  received  the  following  Talk  from  the  Sachems, 
in  behalf,  and  in  the  presence  of  the  nation ;  which  they 
requested  me  to  present  to  the  Shafisbury  Association. 
Fathers  and  Brothers!  ^ 

We  are  very  happy  to  meet  you  here  this  day,  and  that 
vre  are  well  and  in  health.    As  many  of  us  as  are  her<;, 


LEMUEL     CO VELL. 


Ill 


have  met  to  let  you  know  our  minds,  and  what  we  have 
to  say.  I  thank  the  good  people,  the  ministers,  that  they 
have  sent  missionaries  to  visit  our  fire-place-to  preach 
the  gospel-the  will  of  the  Great  Spirit,  to  us.  Our 
whole  nation  thanks  the  ministers  for  their  good  will  to 
our  nation.  ^ 

Wc  hope  that  the  Great  Spirit  may  protect  you  safe  on 
yourjourney  home-that  you  may  find  all  at  y»ur  fire- 
place well.  We  pray  that  the  Great  Spirit  may  prosper 
your  labors.  j  r     t- 

I  say  to  the  good  people,  that  when  they  see  our  mis- 
takes or  errors,  that  they  will  not  think  hard  of  us  be- 
cause we  meet  with  a  great  many  difficulties  in  the  way. 
We  slowly  go  on  to  get  acquainted  about  the  Great  Spir- 
it-for  we  think  we  are  firm  in  taking  hold  of  the  gospel. 

We  say  now,  all  we  Chiefs  of  our  nation,  we  hope 
that  the  good  people  will  not  be  discouraged  about  us 
because  other  nations  of  our  color  do  not  receive  the 
gospel;  for  we  are  sure  that  we  wish  to  be  instructed 

We  are  Chiefs-we  do  all  we  can  to  persuade  our 
young  men  and  our  children  to  be  taught  in  the  good 
way-that  they  may  become  acquainted  with  the  gospel 
to  the  latest  generation.  s    p  i, 

Second  Sachem,-!  am  very  much  pleased,  and  thank 
the  ministers.  I  send  my  love  to  the  ministers  of  the 
Shaftsbury  Association,  who  sent  you  to  us  to  preach 
the  good  word  to  us,  which  we  have  felt  in  our  hearts  • 

First  Sachem-l  send  word  to  my  nephew,  George 
that  he  would  not  be  uneasy  about  us- we  have  put  off 
drinking  spiritous  liquor-we  feel  happy  to  live  a  sober 
lUe-I  wish  that  he  would  keep  from  liquor,  and  not  taste 
one  drop,  so  that  he  may  be  sober. 

You  may  know  by  this,  that  I  am  glad  always  to  see 
ministers,  and  hear  their  good  words. 

Sacaresa,  ><j  First  Sachem. 

^  William  X  Printcp,  Second  Sachem. 

uctober  31,  1803. 


^ 


112 


MEMOIR     OF 


We,  the  subscribers,  certify,  that  the  I'oregoiag  Speech 
was  delivered  by  the  above-named  Sachems,  to  the  Rev. 
Lemuel  Covell,  word  for  word,  as  near  as  could  be 
translated. 

Witness  our  hands, 

Nicholas  CosicK,  }  Interpreters. 

John  ^  Mountpleasant,    ^         ' 

I  hereby  certify,  that  I  wrote  down  the  above  Speech, 

as  delivlred  to  me  by  the  above  interpreters. 

Elkanah  Holmes." 


^ 


.,  *»•  ■^, 


i-EMDEL  COVELL 


113 


CHAPTER    V. 

Temporal  troubles  and  o-ivinfr  i,«  «<•  ~    .ji 
Doinffs  of  the  session''l805.  io    T'^^^ •  ^«^e'n« J 
Che  Canada  Mission  ,Lt?ers'toh?°n    ^T'''''^''''  ^« 
;o  Boston;  lnvu.iionfroZ\V^^^^^ 
Mass.;  Occurrence  amon*'  thp  Tn/Ko^     ^\.P"eshire, 

Mission;  Removal  to  Che^'sh  re   Rpv.W  ^A'-^  °?  ^'« 
in  Piitstown.  ^"esnire,  Review  of  his  sojoura 

But  while  Mr.  Covell  was  «!nnr,in«»i 

becoming  connnuall,  more  emba^ssed,  and  heTaw  „! 
prospec  of  retrieving  his  affairs,  wi.hou    Zoi7ll° 
sdt  e.clus,vely  .o  his  own  private  interests     But  th 
v-as  not  in  his  cotnmission,  that  run    "htZ^Ffu    ' 

f''  I-"- ^'«  =-  -ho"  and'preach  the  ki  g  o;'    '«  ""^ 
Accordingly   his  resolution  was  taken      X  .  i J  u 
place  to  one  of  his  deacons,  IMr  Head  a'nH      J   ^  *" 

of  1805,  returned  to  the  s-ni,.  Lli^^e  ^^^  n  hf  ^f 
left  a  few  years  beforp     Mo  /v,.    j  i     .      ^'*'^"^°j  "e  had 

^™a„ds  aUt  t::  e^Lt^h  :  Xy'rr  '^^ 
.he  amount  of  §700.    He  made  a  f«nk  and  f^n  T   1  •" 
ure  of  his  condition  to  his  people   and  his  rU     1"  °'" 
«cie.y  conjoint],  agreed  to  «ise     e  monev  unt      "."' 
.ion  that  he  should  never  leave  theml  heU'e Tpa:" 
r  of  any  other  people,  unle^  that  people  w^uld  ,Xd 
■he  money  to  them.    To  thifhe  consented   2h  h!l  u 
ever,  creditor  paid  to  the  uttermost  fa rthtg.'    Then  frl 
h.s  hear,  could  he  e«.aim  in  .he  ianguage'of  hltvor 

"Now  I  forbid  my  carnal  hope, 
My  fond  desires  recall, 

I  give  my  mortal  interest  up,  '* 

And  make  my  God,  my  all." 
8 


114 


MBMOIR    OF 


He  had  become  convinced  that  his  portion  was  not  to  be 
of  this  world,  nor  his  labors  to  be  expended  for  the  meat 
that  perisheth.  In  conversation  with  a  ministering  broth- 
er on  the  Biibject  of  his  affairs,  he  remarked  in  the  words 
of  the  wise  man,  "  The  lot  is  cast  into  the  lap,  but  the 
whole  disposing  thereof  is  of  the  Lord." 

The  Association  convened  this  year  at  Hoosic  Falls. 
We  comtnence  with  their  Minutes,  at  article  8: 

"The  Committee  charged  with  the  missionary  fund, 
reported,  that  during  the  year  past,  they  received  l$91,3i 
That  they  have  expended  $51,  leaving  a  balance  of  $iO,3h. 
That  they  have  employed  Elder  H.  Gorton  three  months, 
on  a  mission  through  the  western  country,  as  far  as  Long 
Point,  in  Upper  Canada.    That  he  has  reported,  that  he 
found  the  people  in  general    much  engaged  to  hear 
preaching ;  that  in  some  places  in  the  Province  of  Upper 
Canada,  they  were  so  anxious  to  hear  the  gospel,  that 
they  would  encounter  difficulties  almost  insurmountable, 
and  danger  indescribable,  to  get  to  meetings  for  preach- 
ing and  that  there  appeared  a  general  solicitude  lo  have 
us  continue  to  send  them  assistance  by  missionaries.- 
That'he  found  the  church  at  Charlotteville  in  trials,  but 
left  them  in  more  comfortable  circumstances.     That 
there  was  some  revival  of  religion  in  that  place,  and 
seven  persons  baptized  while  he  was  there.    That  he 
also  presented  a  written  request  from  the  church  and 
society  in  that  place,  and  another  from  a  number  of  in- 
habitants in  other  parts  of  th|  Province,  earnestly  request- 
in<r  us  to  send  missionaries  to  visit  them  as  often  as 
possible,  and  above  all,  to  settle  a  permanent  missionary 
ki  that  country,  manifesting  at  the.  same  time  their  wil- 
lincrncss  to  do  all  in  their  power  to  help  him  with  such 
things  as  they  have  to  bestow  for  the  comfort  of  his 
family.    That  he  also  visited  the  Tuscarora  Indians, 
was  cordially  received  by  them,  and  found  things  favora 


m^' 

i^^' 


LEMUEL     COVELL. 


115 


We  and  encouraging  among  them,  and  that  .hey  had  .ent 
a  Talk  m  wr.l.ng  ,o  ihe  Association,  exoressint  ,h. 
■haolts  .0  God  and  us  for  sending  mi'ssZt  To  vi  U 

the  gospel      The  above  report  concludes  as  follows  • 
Resolved,  unanimously,  That  this  committee  do  cor- 
.a  y  approve  of  the  labors  and  report  of  ou    bel,,ed 
rother  Gorton,  and   we  earnestly  recotnmend  !„  Ihe 
ssocmtion  the  propriety  of  making  further  exertions  „ 
.he  same  way.     The  several  papers  alluded  to  in  the 
above  report,  were  read,  which  excited  transpor  s  of  ov 
and  commiseration  in  the  hearts  of  many 'who  larf 
.hem,  par.,cularly  that  from  the  poor  savages. 
Resolved,  unanimously,  That  this  Association  do  cor 
.ally  approve  of  the  doings  of  our  Committee  and  the 
labors  oi  our  beloved  brother  Gorton  as  reported    a„d 
-hat  we  wtll  make  all  such  further  exertions  a's  lie  /n  our 
power  to  send  missionaries  into  those  narts  a„^  1?^ 
destitute  of  preaching-therefore  .  ^      '    "''  ""'"' 

^'  ^,T^"J'  ""''"™<"'«"y,  That  the  same  Committee 
m:  Elders  Peck,  Blood,  Webb,  Hull,  Craw  an  ~il' 

cr„X      T'  '"*'""'  ''°=""''  "-"-'  Child"  nd 
Cheat,  be  our  Comm.t.ee  to  carry  the  same  into  effect 

10.   Resolved,  That  suitable  answers  be  preoared  hv 
•brother  Webb,  in  the  name  of  the  Associatl,     to       ,h 
papers*  alluded  to  in  the  report  of  our  Committee,  and 

rerh:r:frermf™^-'---^='»ary, 

Mr.Covell  again  said  to^his  brethren,  "here  am  I" 

Missionary  Committee,  ?oma,?t 'succ^ssTve  f^^  Assocmtion  and 
greatest  accumulation  of  AssS  S  an  j  E  o SarV  W  "^^  *^" 
of  any  one  man  in  the  connection;  and  while  ill  vSL*^^"'"^"'''' 
them  with  ffreat  care  •  but  nff^r  1.;=  .i^Z  "^*^"'"^  P'"eserved 

and  p.^phLst'cam'o  sc«.°ere"  be/ond  re'cai"""'' "'  *■"  """"S- 

8* 


116 


MEMOIR     OP 


the  waii.ag  regions  of  the  west.  On  this  tour  ne  was  to 
spend  six  mvnths.  Elder  Jonathan  Finch  was  also  ap- 
pointed on  a  tour  northward,  three  months.  The  mis- 
sionary cause  was  eVMiently  and  annually  gaining  ground. 
The  1.  'ly  fire  Erst  enkindled  in  Mr.  Covell's  bosom,  and 
breathed  forth  in  His  own  unstudied  eloquence,  from  lime 
10  time,  and  plac  to  place,  had  spread  from  heart  to 
heart,  from  church  to  church,  till  the  greater  part  of  the 
Association  became  as  the  heart  of  one  man. 

As  has  been  already  mentioned,  Mr.  Covell  had  sold 
his  possession,  adjusted  his  affairs,  and  retired  from  all 
secular  concerns.    He  received  but  about  !$200  a  year  jis 
a  salary  for  preaching,  but  his  family  enjoyed  good  healti^ 
and  by  the  economy  and  prudent  management  of  one  of 
the  best  of  wives,  fhey  were  always  comfortably  sup- 
ported.   His  own  health  was  never  sound.    He   was 
subject  to  frequent  attacks  of  the  bilious  cholic-to  hard 
and  frequent  pain  in  the  head,  and  was  frequently,  yes, 
very  frequently,  afflicted  with  the  phthisic.    But  even 
this  disease  was  turned  to  account.    Some  of  his  chois- 
est  meditations  owe  their  origin  to  the  midnight  solitude 
of  his  tire-side  musings,  when  the  poor  distressed  lungs 
made  sleep  a  stranger  to  his  pillow,  and  denied  him  the 
refreshment  of  a  recumbent  position.    With  a  blazing 
fire  an  elbow-chair,  and  a  pipe  both  for  remedy  and  com- 
panionship, he  was  wont  to  hold  long  and  frequent  vigils 
with  his  thoughts  and  his  complaint.    Of  course  his 
sermons  were  enriched,   Zion  was  benefitted,  but  his 
physical  system  was  worn.  • 

Mr.  Covell  had  this  summer  pJHce4  bit  eldest  dr.ugh- 
ter,  then  something  over  thirte(  -..  i- "i-r  ae  care  oi  the 
Rev.  David  Rathbun,  teacher  of  a  select  school  at  Hoosic 
Falls.    While  there  he  wrote  her  the  following  letters: 


LEMUEL     COVELL. 


117 


PiUatown,  June  22, 1806. 
//car  Deidamia: 

Are  you  in  health,  my  Daughter  i  Are  you  contented 
with  your  homeY  (Are  you  dutiful  to  your  worthy  in- 
structor? Are  you  modest  and  unassuming  in  the  kind 
lamiiy  where  you  reside?  Aro  you  modest  and  ronde- 
scending  amon-  your  school-fellows?  Are  you  meek 
and  mannerly  in  all  company?  Are  you  assiduous  in 
your  studies?  Are  you  making  progress  in  knowledge? 
Are  you  faithful  in  your  employment?)  Are  you  thought- 
ful about  God  and  eternity? 

Let  your  preceptor  answer  the  questions  included  in 
parenthesis,  and  answer  the  others  yourself,  as  soon  as 
you  have  a  convenient  opportunity.  Give  my  rompli- 
ments  to  Mr.  R.  and  all  the  family.  Your  Mama  and  the 
Children  are  well,  and  send  their  love  to  you  We 
shall  come  to  see  you,  if  the  Lord  will,  on  Friday  lext. 
'Remember  thy  Creator  in  the  days  of  thy  youth."  Be 
attentive  to  the  instructions  and  counsel  of  vour  ai  ec- 
tionate  Father,  Lemuel  Covell. 

Ueidamia  Covell. 

Soon  after  this  date,  Mr.  Covell  determined  on  a  jour- 
ney and  visit  to  Boston  and  vicinity.  Happily  th. 
journal  of  his  excursion  is  before  me  in  his  own  loved 
autograph.  It  is  inserted  entire,  not  expecting  however 
that  all  Its  minutia  will  be  interesting  to  the  general 
reader.  But  instruction  is  so  blended  with  narrative,  and 
sentiment  so  elicited  from  circumstance,  that  it  would 
seem  a  sacrilege  to  mutilate  so  beautiful  an  expression  of 
parental  love,  so  admirable  an  example  of  christian  in- 
genuity. 

My  dear  child :  "  ^^'^^^^^'^^  ^"^"^1  5,  1805. 

Bjr  the  good  hand  of  my  God  upon  me,  I  have  been 
enabled  since  I  saw  you  last  to  perform  a  long  and  in 


118 


MEMO IR     OP 


some  respects  very  uncomfortable  journey  ;  and  returned 
home  in  safety,  though  in  a  very  feeble  state  of  health. 

While  absent  from  home,  I  formed  a  design,  if  it 
should  please  God  to  permit  me  to  return,  to  make  a  few 
extracts  from  the  minutes  of  my  journey  rnd  visits,  for 
the  perusal  of  my  family,  and  as  you  live  a  distance  from 
home,  to  put  them  in  a  form  of  a  letter  to  you,  and  ex- 
pect it  will  be  a  pleasure  to  you  when  opportunity  will 
permit,  to  share  with  your  mother  and  sisters  the  pleas- 
ure and  pain  of  looking  them  over.  I  have  selected  such 
parts  of  my  journal  as  contain  all  the  circumstances 
which  I  think  can  afford  you  entertainment  or  instruction. 
And  I  pray  the  Father  of  mercies  to  bless  the  feeble 
efforts  of  a  parent  anxiously  solicitous  for  your  present 
and  everlasting  welfare. 

On  Monday  morning,  the  1st  of  July,  I  set  out  on  ray 
long  contemplated  journey  to  the  metropolis  of  Massa- 
chusetts. Nothing  very  remarkable  happened  through 
the  day.  The  weather  was  hot,  and  the  roads  very  dry 
and  dusty,  which  rendered  riding  on  horse-back  very 
uncomfortable.  I  was  so  fatigued  and  overcome  with 
the  heat  and  dust,  that  I  almost  despaired  of  being  able 
to  pursue  my  journey,  and  was  heartily  sorry  I  had  not 
pursued  my  intention  of  going  by  stage.  I  had  previous- 
ly agreed  to  preach  with  Elder  Worden's  people  the 
next  day  at  10  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  at  Savoy  at  4  P.  M.  I 
expected  I  should  see  my  old  friend,  Deacon  Carpenter, 
at  one  or  both  of  the  said  meetings,  and  concluded  to  ask 
him  for  his  sulkey  to  go  the  journey  with,  which  would 
be  more  comfortable  for  me,  and  no  harder  for  my  horse. 

One  little  circumstance  of  this  evening  may  possibly 
afford  you  some  amusement.  Last  March,  I  preached 
an  evening  sermon  at  a  school-house  near  Elder  Wor- 
den's. At  the  close  of  worship,  a  man  and  his  wife  who 
were  members  of  his  churchj  invited  me  very  presbingly 


■■EMDEI,    COfELL.  jj„ 

»"  go  home  wiih  them      Ti.. 

worthy  christian  peor,u\J,        ??'^"*''  '»  •>«  "efV 
plied  with  .heirreqoe?  f^r  hV^r  f  f""^  ■""'  '»'»- 
aice  with  them,  but  was  111    ^  °^  ^""^"^  »'='J''«i'"- 
wi.h  the  Elder.'  I  dilnof 2 1  >'  *''^'^''' '"  '"  """^ 
onn  mention  it.    A,  I  wa  '';^. ""'''!""»''.  "or  hear  any 
if  .here  were  any  way  bv  U    ."^,  ""1  '^'"'"^'''  I  "-o't 
would  call  and  sneTd  ,h         .  '  '""''^  ^"'^  "><'"  <>"'.  I 
«nd  them  I  coJno  advise"  t  if  "^"^  ""'""^  '» 
'0  enquire  for,  and  oonseqen'tl    had  coir',  ?"'  """^ 
put  up  at  Elder  Wordea's     About  V  "'  ^°  ='"' 

;«™ry  pensively  wi,hi:-abf«tira"SlE,derw'- 
den's,  whom  should  I  meet  hnf  ihT  "  ^"■ 

">i"Hng  of.  I  did  no.  «oo.nizet,  '  """"  '  ^'^  "'^^ 
k»ew  me,  and  seemed  ver7  Id  ,  '  "'"""'«■>«,  but  he 
if  any  of  Elder  WordenTmel"'  'T  "'l'  '  "'^"^  "^^ 
him  if  they  did  I  would  l^f  '""^  "'"  ^r'  ">" 

-  as  not  I  bur'ther       7lZ  "1  "^""  '"  i"'  ''^'"■ 
pleasing  candor  th».  I,/.  answered,  with  a 

fi-eif'a  :'X:o^yZ:x:'i7^''  ''-^^^ 

his  house,  and  if  I  would  inrnT'         .    ^  J""  "^^'^^ 

fa-  as  he  had,  he  Zt    rideH.:"?""'"^  "'  """ 
'ain  me.    I  turned  h.,.h  „  -.r  ^  Pleasure  to  enter- 

^ein.  .he  persori^ttdrj"  Afte^  hThT' "'  ''' 

m  horse,  he  said  he  had  occasTon  ,„  !      ,  ^.'^  P"'  ""' 

and  would  return  soon     Hi,  „  /^  ^   *  '""^  *^'«'^'' 

forgo..e„  her  also.    We  soon  feM      ""''"""'''"" '""' 

afar  a  while  I  men.ioTed  .„  her    b""'-"'""^'"""''  '"«' 

invitalion  I  received  l,.7  <='feums.ance  of  the 

he  .0  see  .he  pe  Jol'^  X^'^r''  'T  ^""'  '  ^'">'"'' 

yo».hinkyoushourdVnow.he!'f  r  b    m"  """'° 
again?    I  answered    T  Z     l    ,    '^  "  ^'"'"'^  «ee  .hem 

innocea.  raiid  f  "°.^'  '  ''""'"•  ^fter  a  ii.Ue 
herself  weTe  t  7^^  '^^Z'l  Z  Tl '"  ""^"^"^  -" 
-  very  happy  i„  .^ayT^X  '^^^^r^ ^l^J 


120 


MEMOIR  OF 


entertaining  me.  You  may  well  think  I  was  pleased, 
but  I  could  not  help  feeling  a  little  mortified.  Mr.  Brown 
(for  that  was  his  name,)  soon  returned,  and  to  my  joy 
and  surprise,  my  old  friend,  Deacon  Carpenter,  withhim. 
After  much  agreeable  conversation  with  the  Deacon,  I 
made  known  to  him  my  wish  respecting  his  sulkey.— ■ 
He  very  cheerfully  consented  to  let  me  have  it,  and  Mr. 
Brown  agreed  to  go  in  the  morning  and  fetch  it  for  me. 
The  distance  was  about  four  miles.  Thus  all  my  wishes 
unexpectedly  met  their  objects. 

Tuesday,  2d,  went  with  Deacon  Carpenter  to  Elder 
Worden's.  He  was  gone  to  the  place  where  I  was  to 
preach.  We  went  on  and  soon  arrived  there,  as  the  dis- 
tance was  only  about  a  mile  and  a  half.  The  meeting 
was  to  be  at  a  Mr.  Mason's,  who  was  son-in-law  to  Deacon 
Carpenter.  At  a  house  just  by,  was  a  Hewly  married 
young  woman,  who  was  just  at  the  point  of  death.  She 
was  worn  out  with  a  lingering  consumption.  A  little 
before  her  sickness  confined  her,  the  Lord  had  mercy  on 
her  through  a  precious  Redeemer  She  was  very  happy 
in  her  mind  through  her  whole  sickness,  and  died  in  the 
triumphs  of  faith.  When  I  called  to  see  her,  her  strength 
and  voice  were  so  far  exhausted,  that  it  was  with  great 
difficulty  she  could  articulate,  so  as  to  be  understood,  but 
among  all  the  persons  I  ever  visited  or  saw  in  the  mo- 
ments of  approaching  dissolution,  she  was  the  most 
understandingly,  the  most  fully,  the  most  sweetly  resign- 
ed. She  said,  if  it  was  the  Lord's  will,  she  could  live 
ever  so  long  in  her  feeble,  d-stressed  situation,  without  a 
murmur,  but  yet  she  could  not  refrain  Irom  rejoicing  in 
the  prospect  of  soon  leaving  this  world  of  sin,  to  be  with 
her  blessed  Redeemer.  O  that  the  Lord  would  grant  you, 
my  dear  daughter,  to  know  the  sweet  influence  of  that 
religion  which  is  able  to  support  the  soul  in  the  strug- 
gles of  dissolving  nature !    May  you,  my  dear,  be  ena- 


LEMUEL     C'OVELL. 


121 


bled  to  choose  that  better  part  which  wilJ  «. 
steady  and  unshaken,  through  TttL  ^  T"'  ^"" 
and  give  you  that  c  n/dence  in  fd/'''''*'"^'^ '^  ^''^^^ 
ihat  when  you  are  called  r!  f  P'''^°"'  ^^^^^^^ 

regions  of  the  dark  va  el  onh?\'V°"^^'  ^'^  ^^^^^^^ 
-y  say  amid  all  itsl^r^^^^^^^^^  you 

for  thou  Shalt  be  with  me    thvrnH      T  u    ^'  "°  ""'^' 
comfort  me.  '  ^^   '°^  ^"^  ^^Y  staff  they 

While  I  beheld  this  dear  child  of  Pn^  u-a^- 
a  solemn,  but  cheerful  Tdieu    to  th      fl   '^''!"^  "  ^°°^' 
and  just  as  it  were  spread!  ^      r      le'^l^f  •  ""^'"'^ 
wing  her  flight  frnm  iK  L  celestial  pinions,  to 

almost  wish  myself  i„  her  place     ^01,,'     u"""'" 
of  leaving  behind  a  number  of  deaf  hl^  "'""^''' 

M»y  a  gracious  God  grant  mvde  Hi'''  "  '"""''''" 
prepared  through  ricit  ll'a  sZ  ei?; t^  rLThaf  '^ 
awaus  .  em  i„  .ime,  and  for  a  glo^l^L^  '1' 
Afte  solemn  prayer  with  this  departing  spirit  iZLn 
aifectionale  and  affecting  leave  of  her  .ill  '  u  T,  ° 
in  a  world  of  eternal  reaWes  I  h^v  k  '^'i'  "'" 
»i»oe,  her  faith  did  not  Ir^le  he   in  thl  I'T  f  """"' 

red'str'wi'"^  ^'"  -^  '-etr  o7;" 

--™Xa.!SreCpr::.t:s:---' 

"Why  do  we  mourn  departing  friends, 
Or  shake  at  death's  alarms? 

;T  is  but  the  voice  tliat  Jesus  sends 

lo  call  them  to  his  arms."  ' 

We  went  to  Mr.  Mason's,  where  Mr.  Brown  met  me 
With  the  carriage  in  which  T  w^c  t^    • .     • 
my  journev      Thp  nl  ,7         ""^^  ^^^'  remainder  of 

yjournej       1  he  people  collected  about  half  nast  tPn 

-» «« >i,„  ,„,  ii„,  ■„,  „: :  •  i'  ,^." » 


s 


122 


MEMOIR    OF 


covenant."  The  season  was  truly  solemn  and  impres- 
sive. The  case  of  the  dear  dying  woman,  was  still  in 
my  view  and  I  wish  it  might  never  be  erased. 

In  the  afternoon  I  rode  to  Savoy,  accompanied  by 
Elder  Worden  and  Deacon  Brayton,  where  I  preached 
again  and  went  home  with  Deacon  Ingram  for  lodgings. 
This  evening  I  spent  with  great  satisfaction  in  the  Dea- 
con's family.    He  has  several  children  grown  to  maturity, 
and  two  young  people  living  with  him  besides.    None  of 
the  young  people,  except  one  of  his  daughters,  make  any 
profession  of  religion,  but  they  were  all  very  civil.    1 
made  a  long  evening  in  conversing  with  the  deacon,  his 
wife  and  daughter  who  is  a  member  of  the  church  with 
them,  and  at  the  close  was  much  delighted  in  hearing 
the  young  people  of  psalm  tunes.    They  were  all  excel- 
lent singers.     One  of  his  sons  has  an  excellent  bass- 
)iol  of  his  own  making,  and  performs  music  on  it  ex- 
ceedingly well.    Here  again  I  must  make  some  reflec- 
tions, "l  could  not  refrain  from  thinking  while  I  was 
here,  how  much  more  commendable  a  family  of  young 
persons  appear,  who  have  been  trained  up  in  the  habits 
of  sobriety,  and  who  when  they  want  a  little  recreation, 
can  find  full  satisfaction  in  such  amusements  as  are  in 
no  wise  calculated  to  raise  uncivil  or  licentious  exercise 
or  desires  in  the  youthful  mind,  than  those  do  who  treat 
all  seriousness  with  toial  neglect,  if  not  with  contempt, 
and  choose  such  recreations  as  are  calculated  to  ensnare 
the  mind,  and  often  lead  to  licentiousness,  and  terminate 
in  disgrace.    And  yet  how  strange!   the  latter  generally 
think  themselves  much  above  the  former,  and  often  look 
upon  them  with  contempt.    Such  are  the  mistakes  of,  1 
fear,  many  young  people. 

Wednesday,  3.  I  took  an  early  leave  at  Deacon  In- 
gram's, and  pursued  my  journey  through  the  heat  and 
dust,  sometimes  almost  suflfocaied,  but  enjoyed  a  tolera- 


LEMUEL     COVELL. 


123 


hie  state  of  health.  Nothing  remarkable  occurred  for 
several  days  On  the  evening  of  Friday  the  5th,  I  ar- 
rived at  Mr.  Grafton's,  a  Baptist  minister  at  Newtown, 
about  8  miles  from  Boston,  where  I  staid  the  ni-ht  Mr 
Grafton  was  going  a  long  journey,  and  very  "earnestly 
requested  me  to  preach  for  him  on  Lord's-day  the  14th 
to  which  I  consented,  but  with  some  reluctance. 

Saturday  the  6.    I  rode  to  Boston,   where  I  arrived 
about  2  0  clock  m  the  afternoon.    I  put  up  at  my  worthy 
friend  Doctor  Baldwin's,  where  I  was  joyfully  received 
aod  treated  with  all  the  attention  that  politeness,  and  real 
christian  friendship,  could  dictate.    I  spent  the  Afternoon 
with  much  satisfaction,  and  agreed  to  preach  with  his 
people  the  next  day,  and  at  Doctor  Stillnian's  meeting- 
house iQ  the  evening.     But  Oh  how  short  sighted  are 
poor  mortals !    how  readily  elevated  with  ho^.es!    and 
how  suddenly  cast  down  with  fears!    I  went  to  bed 
with  every  pleasing  anticipation  that  could  animate  a 
person  in  my  situation.    I  rested  pretty  well  the  fore' 
part  of  the  night,  but  as  near  as  I  could  judge,  about  3 
0  clock  in  the  morning,  I  was  most  violently  seized  with 
the  chohc.    You  know  I  am  subject  to  that  complaint, 
but  I  never  before  had  it  with  that  degree  of  severity  as 
now.    I  vvas  in  the  most  exquisite  torture,  in  an  upper 
room,  and  no  mortal  near  me,  that  I  could  make  known 
my  distress  to,  or  ask  for  any  assistance.    Racked  with 
pain    and  my  whole  frame  distorted  with  spasms,  I  for 
awhile  gave  up  all  hopes  of  ever  beholding  the  face  of  a 
fellow    creature    again  on  this  side    eternity.      Beincr 
among  strangers,  I  was  loth  to  interrupt  the  repose  of  the 
lamiiy.    I  continued  in   this  distressed  situation,    till 
about  day.break,  or  a  little  after,  when  the  urgency  of 
ray  case  removed  all  scruples  from  my  mind,  and  I  con- 
cluded to  try  to  find  some  person,  who  might  be  a  wit- 
ness to  my  dissolution,  which  I  viewed  io  be  just  at  baud 


124 


MEMOIR     OF 


With  all  the  strength  I  had,  it  cost  me  several  desperate 
efforts  to  get  down  stairs,  though  the  stair-case  was  not 
more  than  ten  feet  from  my  bed.  I  lay  at  the  foot  of  the 
stairs  for  some  minutes  revolving  in  my  mind  what 
method  to  take,  to  acquaint  the  family  with  my  situation. 
A  stranger  in  the  house,  I  knew  not  what  apartment  to 
resort  to,  where  I  might  find  any  of  them.  The  awful 
silence  of  night  was  not  as  yet  broken,  and  all  its  hor- 
rors seemed  now  to  present  themselves  to  my  imagina- 
tion. 

Think  my  child  for  a  moment  how  your  father  must 
feel  in  such  a  situation.    I  never  saw  a  time  before,  when 
I  thought  tears  could  have  been  of  any  use  to  me;  but 
now,  I  thought  if  your  dear  mother  could  have  been 
present  to  soothe  me,  and  ray  dear  Deidamia  and  her 
sisters,  to  weep  over  me  in  the  pangs  of  dissolving  na- 
ture, which  I  conceived  swiftly  approaching,  it  wpuld 
greatly  alleviate   my  distress.    Here  I  felt,  if  I  am  not 
deceived,  the  unspeakable  satisfaction  of  an  interest  in 
the  Friend  of  the  distressed.     I  most  earnestly  implored 
His  assistance  as  I  was  brought  exceeding  low,  nor  did 
he  seem  to  reject  my  feeble  petition.    After  lying  in  this 
condition  awhile,  I  concluded  I  would  try  to  rouse  the 
attention  of  the  family.    Hoping  ihat  by  this  time  some 
of  them  were  awake,  I  called  aloud,  but  received  no 
answer.    A  solemn  silence  reigned  through  eveiy  part  of 
the  house.    I  then  collected' all  the  resolution  I  was  mas- 
ter of,  to  make  what  I  concluded  would  be  my  last  effori. 
With  much  difficulty,  I  raised  myself  from  the  floor,  but 
could  not  straighten  myself  if  I  might  have  gained  a  king- 
dom.   With  my  hands  on  my  knees  to  support  my  •tor- 
lured  body,  bowed  down  with  pain,  I  hobbled  from  room 
to  room,  called  at  every  door,  but  no  human  being  could  I 
find,  (I  afterwards  found  that  they  all  slept  above  stairs.) 
I  recollected  having  observed  a  bed  in  the  Dr.'s  study, 


;-|pR 


f#^^ 


LEMUEL     COVELL. 


125 


and  concluded  it  wag  possible  he  might  sleep  there  but 
how  to  get  up  stairs  a^ain,  this  was  the  trying  question 
I  however  with  much  ado,  got  to  the  foot  of  the  stairs* 
and  on  my. hands  and  knees  clambered  to  the  head  of 
rhem.    I  then  in  my  stooping  attitude,  made  my  way  to 
the  door  of  the  study^  and  called  to  Doctor  Baldwin  who 
to  my  mexpressible  joy,  heaid  and  answered  me.    With 
much  difficulty  I  returned  to  my  bed,  after  an  absence  of 
perhaps  haif  an  hour.    My  strength  was  completely  ex- 
hausted,  and  from  the  efforts  I  had  made,  and  the  extreme 
pain  I  endured,  I  ^vas   almost  completely  drenched  in 
sweat.  The  good  Doctor  reached  my  bed  almost  as  soon  as 
I  did  myself.    He  showed  the  greatest  concern  for  my 
situation,  and  proposed  sending  for  a  physician.    I  ob- 
jected to  this  fur  the  present,  concluding  my  case  would 
soon  be  determined  one  way  or  the  other.     The  li^ht  of 
day  had  now  almost  entirely  chased  away  the  shades  of 
mght.    Doctor  B.  hastened  to  bring  me  a  large  dose  of 
castor  oil,  which  I  took  immediately.    He  sat  awhile  bv 
me  and  with  all  the  tenderness  of  a  sympathizincr  friend 
endeavored  to  soothe  my  distracted  mind.    O,  I  never  can 
forget  him.    In  about  an  hour  my  pain  began  gradually 
to  abate.    The  oil  began  after  awhile  to  operate  as  a 
cathartic.    By  9  o'clock,  I  was  in  a  great  measure  re- 
lieved from  pain,  though  not  wholly  soj  but  O  how  weak' 
my  appetite  for  food  and  everything  else  but  cold  water 
entirely  gone.  ' 

Here  I  must  break  off  my  narrative,  for  a  moment,  and 
make  a  few  reflections.  How  just  and  holy  are  the 
ways  of  God,  how  wise  are  all  his  counsels,  and  I  may 
add,  how  just  was  this  dispensation  towards  me !  You 
know  in  some  measure,  my  child,  how  highly  I  had 
calculated  on  this  journey  and  visit.  Without  feelino- 
sufficiently  sensible  that  all  my  dependence  is  on  God"^ 
I  had  fondly  anticipated  nothing  but  happiness  while  at 
Boston.    The  evening  before  this  sad  morning,  the  Doc- 


<i 


126 


MEMOIR     OF 


tor  and  myself  had  made  a  number  of  arrangemeints,  and 
he  as  well  as  myself,  seemed  much  animated  ^^ith  the 
prospect  before  us.    We  did  not  dream  of  disappoint- 
ment.   But  alas  !  a  few  hours  pain,  a  single  touch  of  the 
finger  of  the  Almighty,  was  sufficient  to  set  all  our 
calculations  completely  afloat,  and  we  were  taught  with 
awful  emphasis,  that  man  may  appoint,  but   God  can 
disappoint.    Let  us,  my  dear,   learn  wisdom  from  the 
things  we  suffer,  and,  endeavor  in  all  things  to  be  sub- 
missive to  the  will  of  Him  who  knows  infinitely  best 
how  to  dispose  of  us,  and  all  that  we  prize  or  enjoy. 
Let  us  never  suffer  ourselves  to  be  elated  with  any  pros- 
pect, however  pleasing,  and  however  near  we  may  fancy 
ourselves  to  the  enjoyment ;  nor  to  be  cast  down  with 
any  disappointment  or  affliction,  however  unexpected  or 
severe.    Let  us  endure  all  things  with  that  equanimity 
of  mind  that  becomes  rational  beings,  existing  under  the 
all  wise  government  of  an  infinitely  good  God,  believing 
that  all  he  sends  upon  us  is  for  the  best,  and  that  all 
things  work  for  good  to  them  that  love  him. 

To  return  to  my  narrative.    If  the  kind  wishes,  and 
generous  efibrts  of  this  dear  family  and  a  number  of 
christian  friends  who  came  in  to  see  me,  could  have 
effected  a  cure  I  should  have  been  healed  instantaneous- 
ly, but  a  higher  power  was  necessary.    Diseases  flee  only 
at  the  rebuke  of  Him,  whose  all  commanding  voice  the 
winds  and  seas  obey.    I  tried,  but  in  vain,  to  take  a  little 
food.    Cold  water  was  all  I  craved,  and  that  they  did 
not  tliink  prudent  to  let  me  have.    A  little  before  ten  1 
retired  to  my  bed  for  a  little  repose.    I  was  mostly  re- 
lieved from  pain,  but  had  some  considerable  fever.    But 
alas,  though  my  nature  needed  repose,  it  was  far  from 
m2.    The  bells  soon  announced  the  appointed  hour  of 
public  worship.    The  family,  all  excepting  the  waiting 
woman  went  to  the  meeting-house  and  left  me  to  my 


LEMUEL     COVBLL, 


127 


reflections.  I  now  had  leisure  to  take  a  serious  view  of 
my  situation.  Almost  two  hundred  miles  from  home, 
among  entire  strangers,  afraid  to  let  the  worst  of  my 
complaint  or  the  real  cause  of  it  be  known,  for  fear  of 
giving  too  great  alarm  to  those  who  seemed  already 
very  deeply  affected  on  my  account,  I  had  no  other  re- 
gource  but  the  mercy  of  that  ever  blessed  God,  in  whom 
I  have  long  since  placed  my  only  confidence.  In  the 
bitterness  of  my  affliction,  and  anguish  of  my  heart,  I 
poured  out  my  complaint  before  him,  humbly  imploring 
his  mercy  through  a  dear,  precious  Redeemer.  A  divine 
smile  from  His  blessed  presence,  seemed  for  a  moment 
to  overwhelm  my  heart,  to  remove  all  my  sorrows,  and 
to  absorb  all  ray  powers.  For  a  few  moments  I  was 
lost  in  admiration  of  his  glorious  perfections,  and  had  no 
will  but  what  might  be  all  expressed  in  this  single 
phrase—"  Thy  will  be  done."  O,  Damia,  what  an  In- 
finite good  God  is  this.  May  you  my  dear  child  find  a 
refuge  for  your  soul  in  him. 

I  caught  a  momentary  refreshment  by  falling  into  a 
gentle  slumber,  but  was  soon  roused  from  it  by  the  return 
of  the  family  from  meeting.  Doctor  B.  came  to  me  and 
enquired  with  great  concern  how  I  was,  I  told  him  I 
fell  some  better.  He  asked  me  if  I  thought  I  could 
preach  in  the  afternoon  ?  I  answered  him  I  did  not  think 
my  strength  would  admit  of  it,  but  I  intended  to  try  to 
go  and  hear  him.  I  went  down  and  tried  to  take  some 
dinner,  but  could  not.  I  soon  retired  to  my  bed.  The 
cook,  a  little  afterwards,  brought  me  some  excellent  water 
gruel.  I  sipped  about  half  a  pint  of  it,  but  without  any 
appetite. 

I  caught  another  short  doze,  and  at  3  o'clock  got  up  and 
went  to  themeeling-houseand  heard  Doctor  B.  deliver  a 
very  excellent  discourse,  after  which  he  administered  the 
Lord's  supper.  My  pain  gradually  returned  while  I  sat 
in  the  church,  and  vvith  it  some  other  complaints.     I 


Ml 

€  il 


mt.j 


128 


MEMOI R     OP 


returned  to  Doctor  B.'s,  had  some  conversation  with 
several  of  the  brethren  who  tarried  awhile  on  my  account. 
I  then  retired  to  my  bed,  but  got  little  or  no  refresh- 
ment.   About  half  past  7,  a  Mr.  Brooks  called  who  was 
to  preach  at  Dr.  Siillman's  church,  as  they  had  given  up 
all  hopes  of  my  preaching  for  the  present.    I  felt  but  poor- 
ly able  to  get  out,  but  could  not  bear  to  be  left  behind.    On 
the  whole  I  concluded  1  would  try  to  go.  I  went  but  sat  in 
much  pain.    After  worship  I  returned  to  my  lodgings, 
had  a  little  conversation  and  went  to  bed.    I  slept  but 
very  little.    My  pain    was  returning  upon  me.  and  by 
morning  I  was  in  great  di  tress.    My  fever  also  returned, 
harder  than  it  had  been.    I  now  felt  seriously  alarmed. 
I  was  determmed  to  hazard  one  experiment.    I   left  my 
bed  and  went  down  before  any  of  the  family  were  up, 
took  a  pint  tumbler  and  went  out  to  the  pump  whicii  stood 
just  before  the  door,  and  d»-.ik  the  tumbler  about  once 
and  a  half  full  of  cold  water.    I  went  in  and  walked  the 
house  a  few  minutes,  and  then  went  and  covered  myself 
up  in  bed,  and  soon  fell  into  a  gentle  perspiration,  and 
from  that  into  a  profound  sleep.    About  two  hours  after, 
1  awoke,  felt  quite  easy   ainl  much  encouraged.    But 
when  I  attempted  to  get  out  uf  bed,  I  found  myself  so 
sore  across  my  bowels,  that  only  a  touch  of  my  clothes 
would  almost  make  me  scream.    I  however  put  on  my 
clothes  and  went  down,  but  was  in  perfect  misery.    My 
diet  this  and  the  preceding  day,  was  chielBy  gruel,  which 
was  the  only  food  I  could  take,  and  that  with  very  little 
appetite.    About  nine  o'clock  Mr.  Chaplain,    a  young' 
brother  in  the  ministry  called  to  see  me.    I  tried  my 
utmost  to  be  sociable  and  show  as  little  as  possible  the 
effects  of  ray  illness.    To  indulge  my  restlessness  with- 
out giving  suspicion  of  the  extremity   of  my  case  I 
walked  the  room  almost  continually.    In  short  I  tiied  all 
in  my  power  to  feel  well,  but  all  to  very  little  purpose.— 
After  Mr.  Chaplain  took  leave,  I  walked  out  a  little  in  the 


LEMUEL     CO  VBLL. 


1& 


town  wilh  Dr.  Dalclwin,  called  at  several  place, 

others  at  Dr.  S.ill,na„'.,.    ,  „as  introduced  to    im  ^^^ 

?reat  pohteness,  atui  found  hi,,.  ,  „„„  ,  'J 

Tb^J''"-  ,^""°'"""  ""ver.a,i„„,=rc:;urned"„ 
Dr.  Baldwin's^  where  we  found  Mr.  Chaplain  vva„i„,  for 
our  return.    He  „  ono  of  the  most  agreeable  youn^C 
ever  „,e.  w.,h.       felt  „y  p„i„  „pij,y  ij„,,7„^'j: 
Mr.  Chaplatn  look  leave  of  n,  to  return  to  Harvard,  the 
place  of  h,3  residence.    I  went  and  lay  down  on  1 
bed-eould  not  test.    I  had  some  very  serious  upprehen! 
„ens  that  I  was  goinj  ,„  have  either  the  yellow  or  the 
putrid  fever,  but  duist  not  say  a  ,vord  about  it.    I  arose 
and  trtej  to  write  a  little,  but  my  pain  increased  to  ,h  ° 
degree    that     was  obliged  to  quit  that  employment  and 
"0  to  bed.    I  now  consented  to  have  a  physician  sent 
for.    About  sunset  Dr.  ShurtlelT  called  and  directed  me 
to  take  laudanum  a»d  essence  of  peppermint,  three  tim", 
between  that  and  12  o'clock  a.  nisht.  and  t'f  I  was  I 
relieved  by  morning  to  send  for  him  again.    I  followed 
Ins  directions  and  found  some  relief,  so  that  the  lauer 
part  of  the  night  I  rested  pretty  well. 

TnesJay,  9.    I  arose,  walked  out,  felt  very  weak   but 
™eh  reeved  from  pain;  but  still  my  appe:L  wis  VerJ 
poor  and  my  voice  almost  gone.    I  took  n  little  food,  Ji 
8  0  clock  went  on  board  a  lighter,  with  a  number  o    the 
brethren  who  were  going  to  sail  out  for  pleasure,  and  to 
ake  a  few  flsb.    VVe  had  a  find  day,  sailed  abou;  5  or  « 
eagues,  returned  part  of  the  way  and  went  ashore  on  an 
s  and,  where  they  cocked  some  of  the  fish  they  had 
aken,  and  ,»ade  a  fine  dinner  for  such  as  had  an  appe- 
'«o  for  food,  but  that  was  not  the  case  with  me,  or  a, 
most  my  appetite  was  but  feeble.    After  dining,  we  went 
on  board  and  returned  tb  Boston  a  little  after  sunset      I 
ftlinjuch  refreshed  by  this  day's  exercise.-perhaps'the 
>ea,att   bad  some  effect   on  me   for  ihe  better.     My 


^'  ^  -m 


130 


MEMOIR  OP 


spirit,  were  sra,lunlly  rising.    In  .he  evening    preacheJ 
S  discourse   from  Gul.  ii,  20:  "And  .he  he  »h,c.> 
t     ;  live  in  .he  llo.h.  I  live  by  .l.e     ■"  '  "'J 'l,  ^"^\ 
God  who  loved  n.c  and  gave  himself  for  me.       lb, 
°a,  .be  li,..  a,tenM..  I  h^a  made  ,o  preach  m  Boston.    1 
felt  much  faligued  and  retired  early. 

Wednesday,  10.  Arose  .his  morning  .olerably  refresh- 
ed w^alLd  0  ;  and  .ouk  .be  morning  air,  conversed  fee- 
y  wi  b  Dr.  Ualdwin  and  others.  1  began  .o  fee  la  ht  o 
ITe  like  being  sociable,  bu.  s.iU  '-"^  "' J^^"  . ,  ,' 
neli.e  for  food.  I  .ried  to  appear  as  cheerful  as  possible 
r  ugh  the  day,  but  felt  considerable  P-- »;  -;;;;^ 
.„  the  while  very  weak.    A^ventng  went ,    Ute  mee. 

Mr.  B  ooks  of  uL.on,  and  Mr.  Collier  of  Char  es.ow  , 
and  preached  to  a  large  audience,  from  Prov.  vtu,  20,  21. 
Tfound  when  1  came  to  speak  that  my  s.reng.h  was  very 
much  imp.^ired.    After  meeting,  the  above   ment.on 
Z    t    s    called  and  sat  a  few  minutes  w,.b  me,  and 

I  Vr.  „rcach  at  Charlestown  the  next  evening.  1 
:rve,  u  vcl'  through  .benight.  At  2  o'clock  next 
Iv  I  wen-,  accompanied  by  Dr.  Baldwin  and  d.ned 
tl  I't  Ors.  llman.  After  dinner,  and  some  very  agree- 
lb  conversation,  returned  to  Dr.  Baldw.n's  and  soon 
*to  walked  over  to  Charlestown  with  a  brother  AlcoU 
alter  wa.  ^  j  ,1,^  remainder  of  the 

r:  :nty  itirntly.    In  .he  evening  Dr.  Baldwin 
^Brooks  came  over  and  we  all  went  .o  the  mee 
'„.  wh«e  I  preached  with  great  freedom,  from  Isata 
ins.  wncrc  11  cnpak  no.    Went 


-  .,  'l  felt  really  refreshed  by  speaking.  Went 
f'"'"  ,1.  Mr  Col  ier  and  took  lodgings.  Bu.  weatt- 
home  ^-;"^  f  ;^^f  ;,  „  i„ed  unto  me.    I  arose  on 

rr-^"tS.  hut  Pco'rW,  my  old  complain,  seemed 

Irtu^y,  l<:iii^^  '       ^  ^^,  ^j,,,  ^^  to  view  the 

rre;-.  wt;'.he  hrave  Genera.  Warren  was  MIM 


LEMUEL    VOVSLL.  J3, 

i»  ballla  at  ihe  beginning.  „r  ,!,„  Ia,e  war.    The  siW..  of 
ihis  conse.T„u.<i  n.unun-...  f  occasion^,!  .'         ^ 
ancholy  r.flecion,  on  ,ha,  dcprav       l,  T,  "''  ™°'" 
many  .housanci,  of  valuable  liverand  I^      ,        ""  '" 
c,t  de,ir..s  Ibr  .hat  aus|,iciou„T;„  '"""''  """'  '""" 
.oHd,  when  „„,  .ball'be  k  ow      „  ^  :  "T ''''?"  'i* 
.as.  Mr.  Cu.lie,  walkcl  ou,  wi,l.  mTa'ain    ^       t 
S.a.c's  I'rison  Iha.  is  buildin.,  1,'         t1,         .  T^  "'* 
.hn.  presented  ,he„,selves  .o'n,     .^ind    wm/        "'"' 
.l,o,e  awlU  vault,  for  .be  cotllinr/'nt"    '^S 

>:ti:":::::":?s;<'  "-f  ^-  Trr; 

».rong  beyondlo  cen  io  A n'lT'  ""*''  """  """'« 
of  huge  bar,  of  iron  o  .ed  toJe  Lr^in'  T  '""""''' 
manner.    Tbe  builditlg  i,  .b^ee t  '    „  e     ^  .^^f  ^' 

.hc»  caiculated  fur  on,  so^e^^^tt       d^u^Tr:: 
mor  person,,  bn,  all  of  .betn  sufnoie„,ly'„r„„;  Xme 
al   hope  of  an  escape  when  once  confined  in  .ben  - 
After  viewing  ibis  awful  mansion  of  ibe  sons  of  27 
pa..on,  1 ,00k  an  affec,io.,ate  leave  of  Mr   r„n  ; 

remrned  to  Dr.  Baldwin's  wbere  iLi  ""'' 

ia— wi.b  .be  stan"d,:;tr.:  7.::'^ it 

.he  object,  and  the  encouraging  prospect  before  „,     The 
Commtttee  passed  several  resolutions    respecL    ^l 
future  opera.ions  of  the  missionary  business      Ah     ,  . 
o^o  ock  .bis  afternoon,  I  .ook  up  myUTn^rodt  o 
Col.  Dana's,  a.  New.on.    Here  it  seemed  as  if  I  had  lit 
mo  a  new  world.    Away  fro,„  .be  noise  and  s  iflit 
crowd  of  .be  ci.y,  in  a  pure  aimospbere,  wi.h  goodanf 
wholesome  water,  I  almost  forgot  that  I'bad  been    fckl 
'  fouad  a  k.«d  and  most  pleasant  family,  and  made  my 

9* 


132 


MEMOIR     OP 


„av  here  till  Lord's-day,  the  U.h,  when  I  went  wuh 
he«  to  Mr.  Grafoa's  meetir.g-house,  and  preached  two 
d    courses  from  John  vii,  17.    Returned  ana  took  tea 
.^^.1  nana    and  rode  back  to  Boston  and  preached 
:"  ',  rJe  °o:co„r?e  of  people,  from  1  Samuel  .ii.  24.    1 
now  fit  my  health  so  far  restored  that  I  could  preac 
wilut  beiJg  very  much  fatigued      ^  's  -entn       ha 
„,ach  freedom  in  preachtng,  ^^^  '^^^^."JX^.^^," 
,in.e     After  worship  1  returned  to  Dr.  I^'lf'^'f  ^ J"""- 
nr'«;.nto  .n    Mr.  BoUes  of  Salem,  and  Mr.  Brooks 
^^led     IdTacr  a  few  rr.oments  agreeable  conversa.to, 
Ty  all  bade  an  affectionate  adieu  and  rettred. 

Monday,  15,  rose  early   and  felt  trruch  refreshed- 
Spent  th  J  greater  part  of  the  forenoon  tn  v.sittng  a.  sev- 
!ra  Pla  est  especially  at  Mr.  Alcotfs,  who  showed  mc 
nanv  tie  s  o    chtistian  respect  and  generost.y.    Abou 
o^bck  1  wen.  to  Mr.  Bingham's  where  I  had  engaged 
o  d  ne     Mr.  Einghanr*  was  not  at  home  but  Mrs.  Btng- 
L  1  ad  showed  me  ma.y  tokens  of  polt.eness  and  re- 
!!,  durin-v  my  slay  in  lo.vn.    Hearing  of  ray  illness, 
:  ;r  "o       t  °mrout,  all  came  a  considerable  distance  ou 
foot  'to  s°ee  ,ne  several  times,  and  showed  the  most  friend- 
!    oUd  ude  for  my  recovery.    After  dinner,  and  som. 
ircab  e  conversation,  she  handed  me  a  choice  volume 
ff.  mv'elf  and  the  valuable  present  for  you.    I  then  took 
fo,  <°1f'^^\  i  10  Mr.  Alcotl's-took  leave  of 

rafd  'f:mily-re,urned  to  Dr.  Baldwin's,  and  afte. 
turi  '  into  soitre  mutual  engagements  respecting  mis- 
,iT,i,-  we  took  a  solemn  and  affeclionate  leate 
raloS'urexpecting  ever  to  meet  again  till  w. 
torn  IV  Inow  set  out  for  Providence.  I  felt 
retir^lv.::;/ -on  l^vlngBoston,  a  place  wherein 

— — -~Z     ;      7~Zi^\\  known  ns  author  of  the  Ameriran 

*  Mr.  Calel)  B'"?^'^'  \' .^^^  '  i"  ,  a  d  "^'^^^  years  an  extensive 
Pr^eoptor,  Co!n:.a..anC).ator^^c    a^^  ^^  Mr.  Covell's  house  u 

l.ook-Beller  m  i>"^,^""-  ,,""  "'"' 
Pittbtowa  tUo  >ear  bcluft.. 


LEMUEL     COVELL. 


133 


in  a  little  time  endured  much  pain  and  affliction,  but  had 
also  enjoyed  much  satisfaction,  and  had  received  many 
tokens  of  christian  love  and  generosity.  A  place  where 
I  left  many  dear,  precious,  and  worthy  brethren  and 
friends.  I  spent  the  night  with  Mr.  Grafton's  family,  at 
Newton. 

Tuesday,  16.  Rode  to  Elder  Reed's,  in  Attleborough, 
who  received  me  joyfully.  I  tarried  the  night  at  his 
house. 

Wednesday,  17.  Elder  Reed  accompanied  metoProv- 
idence.     We  arrived   there  about  12  o'clock— went  to  a 
Presbyterian  ordination,  and  heard  a  discourse  on  the 
occasion,  from  Dr.  Elliot  of  Boston.     Towards  evening, 
Mr.  Channing,  a  yout.g  minister  from  Boston,  preached 
a  very  good  sermon   at  Mr.  Wilsoi.      meeting-house.— 
Here  I  mot  with  Elder  Cornell  and  his  wife'  I  had  no 
doubt  with  mutual  joy.     Here  I  was  introduced  to  Mr. 
Gano,  Mr.  Pittman,  and  Mr.  Jones,  ali  Baptist  ministers; 
and  to  Mr.  Messcr,   who  is  also  a  Baptist  minister  and 
President  of  the  University.     They  all  treated  me  with 
the  utmost  friendship  and  cordiality,  and  the  people  in 
general  sliowed  me  many  tokens  of  generous  friendship. 
Mr.  Brown,  in  particular,  seemed  to  express  all  that  hu- 
man language  is  capable  of  expressing,  and  to  give  his 
language  emphasis— made  me  a  present  of  ten  dollars. 
1  Ptaid  almost  a  week  in  this  place-preached  seven  times 
in  town,  and  once  at  Pawfucket,  about  4  miles  distant.— 
My  visit  here  was  peculiarly  agreeable,  and  I  enjoyed 
great  freedom  in  preaching.     There  is  a  very  powerful 
work  of  grace  going  on  here,  and  in  many  of  the  adja- 
cent towns  and  neighborhoods.    It  afforded  me  peculiar 
pleasure  to  see  numbers  of  the  dear  youth  setting  out  in 
early  life  to  serve  the  Lord,  with  souls  on  fire  with  di^ 
vine  love.     Oh,  Damia,  shall  I  ever  be  so  happy  as  to 
p^ee  yoii  and  jour  dear  sisters,  like  these  young  people, 


If  n 

'  ;;  ^       i    ■  ■  i 


i/|4#4r'4 


134 


MEMOIR     OP 


forsaking  the  vanities  of  this  deceitful  world,  and  em- 
bracing that  sweet  religion,  which  alone  can  make  you 
happy  in  time  or  eternity? 

On  the  naorning  of  Tuesday  23,  having  bid  my  friends 
an  affectionate  adieu,  I  set  out  for  home.  I  arrived  this 
evening  at  Elder  Dodge's  in  Lebanon,  Connecticut.  I 
preached  with  his  people,  and  tarried  ^with  him,  till  1 
o'clock  P.  M.  of  the  next  day.  Here  also  is  a  precious 
work  of  the  Lord  among  the  people.  From  Lebanon  I 
rode  to  Hartford,  where  I  preached  at  Deacon  Bolls', 
and  took  lodgings  at  Deacon  Robins'. 

Thursday,  25.  I  rode  through  Suffield— called  to  see  a 
number  of  your  mother's  relations,  and  put  up  at  Mr. 
Hasting's  in  Westfield. 

Friday,  2G.  Rode  to  Cheshire,  and  lodged  at  Mr.  Bliss'. 

Saturday  morning,  I  rose  early,  intending  to  ride  home, 
but  to  my  surprise  and  disappointment  my  horse  was 
lame  and  could  not  travel.  Necessity  obliged  me  to  stay 
with  them  over  the  Sabbath.  I  felt  very  uneasy,  but 
was  oblicred  to  submic  to  the  will  of  Providence.  We 
had  a  very  comfortable  meeting  on  Lord's-day,  28thj  and 
I  have  reason  to  be  thankful  that  the  Lord  made  my  poor 
efforts  effectual  in  comforting  his  dear  people  in  this 
place. 

Monday,  29.  My  horse  was  still  lame,  but  not  so 
much  so  as  on  Saturday.  I  took  leave  of  my  friends, 
and  by  riding  part  of  the  v/ay,  and  walking  the  other 
part,  I  arrived  home,  to  my  inexpressible  joy,  about  5  in 
the  afternoon,  and  found  your  dear  mother  and  children 
all  well. 

Thus  r have  given  you  some  account  of  a  long,  fa- 
ti.^uing,  though  very  agreeable  journey.  And  now,  my 
dear  child,  1  wish  you  to  receive  the  instruction  of  a 
father,  and  while  the  perusal  of  my  narrative  may  excite 
your  filial  sympathy,  for  a  parent  struggling  thro'  scene? 


LEMU  EL     COVELL. 


135 


of  fatigue  and  sickness,  let  it  be  a  lesson  to  teach  you 
the  uncertainty  of  all  earthly  felicity,  and  may  you  be 
so  happy  as  to  put  your  only  trust  in  that  Almighty 
Friend,  who  is  the  only  support,  and  the  only  hope  of 
your  affectionate  father.  Lemuel  Covell. 

Deidamia  Covell,  at  Hoosic  Falls. 

Important  results  arose  from  this  detention,  so  unpleas- 
ant to  Mr.  Covell  at  the  lime.     The  people  at  Cheshire 
felt  that  he  had  been  sent  to  them  by  the  providence  of 
their  Heavenly  Father,  that  he  was  just  the  man  they 
needed,  and  they  must  obtain  him  if  possible.     But  he 
was  bound  in  spirit  as  well  as  by  appointment,  to  revisit 
the  scenes  of  his  former  toils  and  hopes,  and  did  not  feel 
at  liberty  to  enter  into  any  other  cnangement  at  that  time. 
He  however  frankly  told  the   committee  that  waited  oa 
him,  his  situation  ia  Pittstown,  and   that  he  could  not 
think  of  leaving  his  charge  there,   without  fulfilling  the 
compact  he  had  entered  into  with  them.     Cheshire  was 
a  kind  of  "  trosAeu"  among  the  towns,  and  the  people 
had  become  wealthy.     On  learning  the  terms  upon  which 
only  Mr.  Covell  was  to  be  obtained,  they  felt  much  the 
spirit  of  Jacob,  when  the  seven  years  which  he  served 
for  Rachel  seemed  but  few  days'  unto  him  on  account  of 
the  love  ho  bore  her.     So  to  rai?e  the  f$700,  to  effect  Mr. 
Covell's   liberation,   seemed  a  light  thing  unto  them  if 
they  might  but  secure  him  unto  themselves.     The  mat- 
ter however  was  to  sleep  until  after  he  should  have  ac- 
complished his  mission  to  the  west. 

He  set  out  on  his  mission,  towards  the  la?t  of  August, 
and  returned  in  the  early  part  of  March  following.  Of 
the  several  letters  he  sent  home  during  his  absence,  non« 
are  now  to  be  obtained.  It  is  well  recollected,  however, 
that  they  were  rich  with  report  of  his  varied  labors  and 
success.  Sonie  of  the  immediate  results  of  the  mission 
are  recorded  in  the  minutes  of  the  A.ssociatioa  of  the  fol- 


■#^-^J  Vi^; 


m 


MEMOl R    OP 


lowing  June.    One  event,  however,  of  no  small  impori- 
ance  lo  the  parties  concerned,  will  not  he  found  on  the 
pages  of  the  minutes.     On  arriving  at  the  ladian  station, 
Mr.  Covell  found  his  red  friends  in  much  trouble  and 
agitation.    A  woman  was  about  to  be  executed,  burned 
alive,  as  a  witch.     Some  of  the  chiefs  and  head  men  were 
displeased  with  the   sentence,  and   determined  that  it 
should  not  go  into  effect.    They   were  on  the  verge  of 
civil  war,  when  Mr.  Covell  arrived.    He  met  in  council 
With  them  on  the  subject.    He  showed  them  the  fallacy 
of  believing  in  witchcrait,  the  absurdity  of  the  idea  that 
human  beings  held   occult  intercourse  with  the  devil  in 
person,  so  that  by  his  i)ower  they  were  able  to  foretell 
future  events,  to  annoy  their  fellow  creatures  and  do  them 
harm.     He  made  it  apparent  to  them,  that  it  was  the 
Author  of  the  Universe  alone  who  governed  it;  and  that 
he  governed  it  by  a  system  of  love.     That  he  had  mani- 
fested that  love  in  various  ways,  but  in  nothing  so  much 
as  in  the  great  plan  of  Redemption.    That  instead  of 
taking  vengeance  upon  us  when  we  had  rebelled  against 
him— had  become  enemies  to  him  by  wicked  works,  and 
justly  incurred  his  righteous  displeasure,— he  had  given 
his  only  son  to  suffer  in  our  stead,  that  we  through  his 
merits  might  be  pardoned  an::  restored  lo  the  divine  favor. 
And  that  if  God  had  so  loved  us,  we  ought  also  to  love 
one  another.    And  as  God  for  his  son's  sake  had  forgiv- 
en us  our  great  trespasses,  so  ought  we  in  like  manner  to 
forgive  our  fellow  creatures  their  trespasses  against  us. 
Thlitwars  nnd  contentions  and  strifes  were  contrary  to 
the  mind  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  that  if  we  would   enjoy 
the  smiles  of  our  Heavenly  Father,  and  rejoice  the  hearts 
of  those  that  love  him,  we  should  listen  to  the  Gospel  of 
bis  dear  Son,  and  be  kind  one  to  another. 

The   poor  savages  were  melted  by  the  exhibition  ol 

unmerited  kindness.    The 


UOU'a 


n  »"*  /I 


LEMUEI,     CO>VELL. 


137 


execuiion  was  abandoned,  the  poor  prisoner  set  free,  the 
hostile  chiefs  reconciled,  and  the  whole  community 
rejoiced.  They  thanked  their  dear  father  Covell,  for  the 
pyins  he  had  taken  to  come  and  see  them,  and' for  the 
good  words  he  had  spoken  to  them.  They  thanked  the 
Great  Spirit  for  putting  it  into  the  hearts  of  his  white 
children,  to  remember  iheir  poor  benighted  red  brethren. 
They  hoped  their  fathers  would  not  be  discouraged  with 
them,  because  some  of  them  had  done  wrong,  for  it  was 
still  their  desire  to  be  led  into  all  truth,  and  to  walk  in  the 
good  way.* 

He  remained  with  them  and  his  dear  brother  Holmes, 
if  I  remember  right,  about  three  weeks.  They  made  hini 
several  presents,  as  tokens  of  their  gratitude  and  regard. 

The  application  from  the  church  in  Cheshire,  was  re- 
newed soon  after  his  return,  and  eventually  he  bade  fare- 
well to  his  beloved  flock  in  Pittstown,  and  moved  with 
his  family  to  Cheshire,  in  April.    He  had  sojourned  in 
Piilstown  something  more  than  seven  years,  and  through 
all  his  vicissitudes,  had  ever  enjoyed  the  entire  confi- 
dence of  his  church  and  people.     There  was   one  in- 
stance,  and  only  one,  that  has  ever  come  to  the  writer's 
knowledge,  whei?  a  part  of  his  congregation  felt  dissatis- 
fied.   It   was  on  account  of  a  fourth  of  July   oration. 
Politics  as  usual  ran  h'gh,  and  opposite  parties  were  bit- 
teragainst  each  other.     In  that  day  they  were  designated 
by  the  terms  "federal"  and  ''anti-federal."    It  was  not 
in  Mr.  Covell's  nature  to  be  an  inactive  member  of  any 
thing.     He  espoused   the  anti-federal    principles,    and 
though  he  never  descended  to  electioneering,  he  used,  as 
occasion  seemed  to  require,  to  express  himself  freely'  oa 

•!  wrote  (his  account  as  1  received  it,  second  or  third  handed 
but  1  have  since  been  told,  that  the  U.  S.  Agent  for   the    Ind  anJ 
was  also  there,  and  .hat  to  convince  .hem  of  The  fallacy  of  tl  "ir  I  e- 
he  ,  he  took  somo  of  .lie  stuff  they  ,,retended  the  woman  hud  used 
to  bewitch  people,  and  nte  it  before  their  ej^es. 


m 


138 


MEMOIR     OF 


the  subject,  and  render  a  reason  for  the  opinion  that 
was  in  him.  Of  course  his  political  sentiments  were 
generally  known.  I  will  not  aver  exaclly  as  to  the 
date  but  I  believe  in  1803,  he  was  selected  as  orator 
of  the  day  at  the  celebration  of  the  national  festival. 
Some  expressions  in  the  address,  gave  umbrage  to  those 
of  the  opposite  sentiment.  But  the  impression,  except 
in  a  very  few  instances,  was  not  lasting.  The  oration 
was  published  by  request  of  the  committee  of  arrange- 
ments, but  it  ha.  probably  long  since  been  numbered 
among  the  things  that  are  noi. 

Mr.  Covell  was  decidedly  the  champion  of  the  cause  or 
education,  and  intellectual  improvement.  He  ever  ex- 
erted himself  to  obtain  the  best  of  teachers  in  his  district 
school,  frequently  making  great  sacrifice  to  accomplish 

th^  object. 

By  his  exertions  mostly,  a  town  library  was  got  up, 
and  so  long  as  he  resided  there,  and  performed  the  office 
of  librarian,  it  was  well  sustained.  In  his  church  he  had 
enjoyed  union  and  peace.  There  was  not  at  any  period 
of  his  connection  with  them,  what  might,  in  the  lan- 
guage ot  the  day,  be  called  a  "  great  reformation." 
But  each  year,  as  it  passed,  was  marked  with  expressions 
of  divine  approbation.  Their  returns,  as  found  on  the 
minutes  of  the  Association,  show  an  annual  increase  of 
numbers  by  baptism.  Their  mutual  accounts  were  now 
to  be  sealed  up  to  the  day  of  final  adjudication  ;  and  what- 
ever may  have  been  faults  on  either  side,  if  any  there 
were,  there  is  just  ground  to  hope,  that  many  of  his  flock 
in  Piitstown,  will  ultimately  be  found  as  stars  in  the 
crown  of  his  rejoicing. 


LEMUEL     COVELL. 


139 


C  PI  AFTER  VI. 

Pastoral  enjoyments;  Session  nf  iQnr  i-    . 

esting;    Kxtracts  IVornr  minutes  .  %7T^^  '"•^'^■ 
mem  to  Canada;  General  mppnaT'    ^     '''  ^^f'^'"^" 
and  Poem,  Sickness     De^.T^^^A^^^ 
ingin  many  place?    Funer''p"'''n"   '"^   ^^°"''»- 

nh-  \      L  """''  '^'''^""y  ^"J  'brotherly   love 

subsisted  betwepn  hiir.  o^.i  u-        •    •  ■J'^'jy    luve, 

"n  ihe  ground  ''  ".'n.s.cring  breihren  ,hea 

ElclerEphrai,„  Sa^vyerhaJ  .pc„>  pan  of  ,he  winter 

?i'itota;:^'M:co"T.''""^'''''"^^^^^ 

.ndseuloddol   /  """''  P"'-'''''-'^e'i  a  farm 

:-.-,a„d„t:t:::„!7-:;rj;,;-r: 

rnme  ,    ,vere  not  laid  u,,o„  /./,„,"  fi.j,  „„„  „,„j,  ["  ^°" 

^ut  rather  helpmeets  one  to  another.  ^' 

Ttic  Association  convened  in   Troy  that  year     Th. 
ess.nwas^cuHarlyi„..estin^^ 

'inceo  s"^       ""'^  --^brother,  Deacon  Seth   Covell 
^•nce  or  Saratoga,  was  there.    His  friend.   VU  .n        , 
;»    Elder  S.P,       Gaao,  of  Prowfe^'f  « 
'"e.e.  and  the  latter  moderato.  of  the  sessio;.    And  to 


140 


MEMOIR    0  P 


him  who  had  watched  over  the  interests  of  the  church 
in  that  place,  with  paternal  solicitude,  it  was  no  light 
matter  of  enjoyment  to  see  how  the  pleasure  of  the  Lord 
had  prospered  among  them.     When   he  first  became 
acquainted  with  them  in   1799,  they  were  a  small  and 
feeble  band,  with  only  a  private  room  tilted  up  to  hold 
meetings  in.    But  now,  they  were  76  in  number,  with  a 
settled  pastor.  Elder  Webb.     They   had  completed   a 
large  and  commodious  house  for  public  worship,  and  had 
a  highly  respectable  congregation.    Tliey  who  had  so 
recently  required  aid,  were  now  both  able  to  provide  for 
themselves,  and  to  impart  aid  to  others.     Truly  the  ban- 
ner over  ihem  had   been  love.    No  wonder  that  m  the 
overflowing  of  his  heart  he  was  ready   both  to  give  and 
receive  the  exhortation,  "  therefore  be  ye  always  abound- 
ing in  the  wjrkofthe  Lord,  for  as  much  as  ye  know 
that  your  labor  is  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord." 

Extracts  from  the  minutes  of  the  annual  festival,  will 
best  show  the  doings  of  the  interview  and  the  interim. 
■     6.    The  following  Report  was  received  from  the  Mis- 
sionary Committee.    "Your  Commiltce,  charged  with 
missionary  affairs,  beg  leave  to  report,  that  during  the 
past  year,  we  have  received  172  dolls.  41  cis.  which 
added  to  40  dolls.  3i  cts.  the  surplus   remaining  in  'he 
Treasury  at  our  last  meeting,  amounts  to  212  dolls.  44 J 
cts.     That  we  have  employed  Elder  Jonathan   Finch 
three  months,  as  a  missionary,  for  which  services  we 
have  paid  him  50  dollars.     That  we  have  employed  our 
brother  Lemuel  Covell,  six  months,  as  a  missionary  ;  for 
which  we  have  paid  him  100  dollars.     That  3  dolls,  have 
been  laid  out  for  the  printing  of  a  number  of  copies  of  a 
ridu  or  Constitution  of  a  Missionary  Society-amount- 
ing, in  ihe  whole,  to  153  dollars,  leaving  a  surplus  m 
the  Treasuiy  of  59  dolls.  44i  cts.  as  appears  per  Treas- 
urer's Report. 


LEMDEL     COVBLI,. 


141 


"That  brother  Finch  has  made  a  Report  to  this  fnm 
mittee.  of  hi.  travel,  ,hro.,h  a  par.  of  the  State  of  Vet 
t.  o„r   and  tlje  settlements  in  this  State,  on  the  west  of 
Lake  Chatnplain.     That  the  said  report  of  brother  pLf 
has  met  our  cordial  approbation,  and  imp  re    e  ,    '    1    ' 
the  .mportance  of  continuing  missionaryTbo     fn^T 
..arts,  tf  practicable.    That  brother  CoveUhTs  "T 
report  of  his  travels  and  labors   throuo,  tb.  ' 

parts  of  this  State,  and  in  the  Province  VoUT'" 
.la,  both  among  the  white  people  and  I„di:n^'^''TA,";''" 
r.'port  has  also  met  our  approbtiion  ,„  1  r  '""' 
the  belief,  that  we  have  inereasinlen  ~"''™'  ""  '" 
o.r  utmost  eifurt,,  to  s^^Z^^J^^^'Z"  '"  "'" 
Both  the  said  nnssionary  brethren  Inve  \T  '"";  "'"'• 
.0  -he  Association,  to  wlich,  a:;  ^iT^l^Z' 

ooHa^  me°™?reX!::S  IT  '°  "'""'  "'' " 
a  Plan  of  a  Missionar  "  Soci  ,'  thaTlT"  V  '""  "P 
"P  such  a  Plan    and  tb^tl         ,      ^^^  """-e  drawn 

pL  have  been  ^rL^ted  t  whi:ht:j:;r  t1  T' 
our  present  meeting,  a  Committee  fromT;  /  " 
Association  have  attended  with  us  ftr    he  "'"^^ 

uniting  their  efforts  with  ours  in  promo  iU.h  ^'"^°''  °' 
ry  interests  and  that  the  twrComm|"-l° '"''''''"''" 
ally  agreed  to  recommend  to  botH    T,       '•™'""- 
^  .heir  -engthinpursuingtatoye":rr;rer 
By  order  of  Committee, 
Troy,  June  3,  1806."  ^™'"'  '^'"'"■■■'  ^"■''■ 

The  foregoing  report  wasaccented  ami  ifco~-    • 
brethret,.  Finch  and  Covell    called  ,,n!    ,'''''"'''' 
lexers  alluded  to,  and  to  '  ve  It  T        ^"''"^  "■« 

counts  of  the  sta.;  of  .M„~:ryr;:X^^^ 


142 


MEMOIR     OP 


which  they  did,  greatly  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Asso- 
ciation. Brother  Finch  presented  two  letters,  from  the 
churches  at  Plattsburgh  and  Peru — thanking  the  Associ- 
ation for  sendinjj  a  missionary  into  those  i)nrts,  and  re- 
questing the  continuation  of  such  favors.  Brother  Co- 
veil  presented  a  letter  from  the  church  at  Charlotteville. 
in  Upper  Canada,  manifesting  theii  gratitude  for  past 
favors,  and  earnestly  requesting  like  favors  in  future ; 
and  especially,  that  a  permanent  missionary  might  be 
sent  into  that  couniry.  He  also  presented  a  letter  from 
a  church  which  was  formed  at  Townsend,  in  the  same 
country,  while  he  was  ihcre  last  fall— requesting  admis- 
sion into  the  Association,  and  corroborating  the  request 
of  the  church  at  Charlotteville,  respecting  the  continua- 
tion of  missionary  lobors  in  that  country.  The  said 
church  at  Townsend  was  cordially  and  joyfully  receiv- 
ed into  the  Association. 

Brother  Covell  also  presented  a  written  talk  from  the 
Tuscarora  Indians,  expressing  their  thanks  for  the  notice 
we  have  taken  of  their  nation,  in  sending  our  missiona- 
ries and  our  friendly  talks  to  them  from  time  to  lime,  and 
requesting  us  to  enter  into  a  covenant  of  friendship  and 
brotherhood  with  them :  this  talk  was  accompanied  by 
three  strings  of  wampum,  as  a  token  of  their  friendship, 
and  as  a  confirmation,  on  their  part,  of  such  a  covenant. 
The  interesting  account  brother  Covell  gave  of  the  state 
of  that  nation,  the  contents  of  their  friendly  letter,  and 
the  emphalical  token  of  their  friendship,  expressed  by 
the  strings  of  wampum,  occasioned  tears  of  joy  and  grati- 
tude—and at  the  same  time  the  strongest  emotions  of 
pity  towards  our  poor  brethren  in  the  desert.  The  wam- 
pum was  presented  by  brother  Covell,  in  the  name  of  the 
Tuscarora  nations  of  Indians,  and  received  by  the 
Moderator  in  behalf  of  the  Shaftsbury  Association,  as  the 
coafirmation  of  a  lasting  friendship. 


LEMUEL   COVELL. 


143 


7  After  hearingr  the  foregoinjr  report,  and  the  docu- 
ments  accompanying  it,  together  with  the  verbal  accounts 
of  our  missionaries—  «-^wuuis 

Resolved,   unanimously,    That   this    Association  do 
cordially  approve  0   the  doings  of  our  Committee,  and  the 
labors  of  our  brethren,  Finch  and  Coveil,  as  reported 
and  that  we  will  do  all  in  our  power  to  proinote  the  good 
work  which  has  hitherto  been  attended  with  so  .reat  a 
blessing;  and,  in  order  to  carry  this  resolution  into  effect 
we  do  appoint  Elders  Blood,  Hull,   Webb,  Peck,  Ken' 
drick  and  Covell-and  brethren  Upham,  Rouse,  H^ndrix 
West,  Choat  and  Rogers,  our  Missionary  Committee  fo^ 
the  ensuing  year. 

8.  Resolved,  That  suitable  answers  be  sent,  by  our 
next  missionaries,  to  the  several  letters  received  from 
different  places ;  and  in  particular,  that  brother  Coveil 
prepare  an  answer  to  the  talk  from  the  Tuscaroras,  and 
and  present  to-morrow  for  inspection. 

9.  Adjourned,  to  meet  to-morrow  morning  at  8  o'clock 
Sermon  this  evenining  by  brother  Gano,  from  Heb.  xii,' 

12.  The  letter  to  the  Tuscarora  Indians  was  read,  ap- 
proved  and  ordered  to  be  sent  ihem  by  brother  Coveil 
next  fall.  » 

13.  Resolved,  That  brother  Coveil  provide  a  staff* 
and  bear  it,  with  said  letter,  to  the  Tuscaroras,  as  a  token 
of  our  friendship,  and  as  a  confirmation,  on  our  part  of 
the  covenant  of  friendship  and  brotherhood  confirmed'on 
their  part  by  the  strings  of  wampum. 

16.  Appointed  brethren  Webb,  Blood  and  Coveil  as  s 
Committee  to  publish  the  whole  of  our  correspondence 
with  the  Tuscarora  nation  of  Indians,  as  soon  as  they 

*To  which  was  afterward  added,  by  Mr.  Covell's  sugg^io^ 
tobacco  box  and  pipe,  of  silver. 


144 


«  EMOI R    OP 


shall  ihink  adviiable,  after  collecting  the  necessary  ma 
terials. 

17.  Resolved,  To  request  the  Saratoga  Association  to 
appoint  a  Commitiee,  to  meet  with  ours  at  their  next 
meeting,  to  direct  in  applying  the  money  collected  for 
missionary  purposes. 

The  Commiliee  charged  with  Missionary  Contribu- 
tions, avail  themselves  of  this  opportunity  to  inform  our 
ministers,  churches,  brethren,  and  friends  in  general,  that 
besides  the  money  comprehended  in  the  foregoing  sched- 
ule, we  arc  authorized  to  set  down  50  dollars  ai^  a  present 
from  Elder  Stephen  Gano,  of  Providence,  (R.  1.)  to  our 
fund.  We  hope  it  will  not  be  taken  amiss,  if,  while  we 
acknowledge  our  grateful  obligations  to  him  for  this 
noble  act  of  generosity,  we  beseech  all  such  as  feel  in- 
terested in  the  second  petition  of  the  Lord';}  Prayer,  to 
imitate  this  worthy  example  of  Christian  benevolence! 

We  have  appointed  our  next  meeting  of  business,  to  be 
held  at  Cheshire,  the  day  before  the  next  meeting  of  the 
Association,  at  1  o'clock,  P.  M.  at  the  house  of  Capt. 
Jonathan  Richardson. 

The  correspondence,  alluded  to  in  Article  16,  was 
never  published,  and,  thus  far,  has  the  writer  of  this 
sought  in  vain  for  the  documents  brought  forward  at  that 
session.  They  are  gone  with  many  other  interesting 
papers  once  in  Mr.  Covell's  kee-ung,  but  blessed  be  the 
Lord  for  his  kindness  in  sparing  to  us  so  much.  Mr, 
Covell  :igain  accepted  the  appointment  of  missionary  for 
three  T'lonths.  It  was  th  iught  .  expected  by  manv, 
that  he  would  f^pend  this  first  year  of  his  new  pastorate, 
■with  his  own  people  ;  but  his  heart  was  toward  the  hea- 
then of  the  wilderness,  and  the  dear  wailing  churches  so 
rficently  planted  in  Canada. 

Closing  paragraph  of  the  corro.-ponding  h  tter,  by  El- 
der Kendrick. 


Might  0 
I  would 

Sooma  > 


w 


I'fiMUEL     COVBLL. 

1  his  Ploasmff  anniversary  whini,  „   , 
altenJed  will,  a  sweet  savor  LI  n    ■      "''"'  •""  ^"> 

>li0  8rc,u«,e„,bly  above,   wliere  w.  V"'""""  "'g""" 
meet  you  all  i„  person.     'Til   H  „  ''°'"  "«  '™S  'o 

f.e..er.  and  M,3,e„ger,  as  .okenro/rove!""  "''"'  '"" 

rears  .hat  he  declined  si^^iL  ,, ,  '°  """^  '"""^i'- 
.l.e  Minutes,  «  ,est,»  sal  F I  "  L  """^  "'  ""•'  <='"»«  of 
•0  f  »)c  ...ere  is  bul  cnTl'a^  ,t  C"  '■■:  '"■'"'''  "^S'" 
perform  the  duty."  ^  Association  that  can 

In  preparing^  the  Minnm^    i 
our  last,  our  a^ed  ,v^      ';;,m,  ?'%'?  ''•  «•  "  -»« 
'-laborer  in  .h;  Gospe^E    e   CUfc  R  "'""  "''  <■•"- 
cock,  has  been  called  from   h!.  fin.  ,°""'' o*^  «"«- 

Jaly  he  came  out  to  Trov  n!  ,^    ^^^^  ""  "''"'<"»  "f 
w"h  <he  A.socia,io„al  -oS"  ™  i""'?"  ""°"'"' 
l"m  his  eldest  d.        er  u-ho       I  f''  '""'^  ''""-o  "ith 
Kcaclrick's  sch„,„  at  Lantuth"'!"  »''!"'''"?  ^^I"" 
yet  seen  the  n.w  home  in  ChcshI  '    "  ''"'  """ 

Pleasant  as  ..vas  the  school  and  .1,.  •  ■ 
prospect  of  .,ai„  e„joyi„?,L,  f„  """""""'  »""  'he 
''"h  which  her  dear  ath";  Id  eT"T  "^  ""•'"""'""' 
P'^asa,  „  far.  During  the  few  rem  •  ""™''  ''"'  ^»' 
»«y  at  home,  she  wa.  indulge'tne  'I'^  ""'^^  "^  '"' 
«ompan,on,  both  in  his  study  IndV- '"' ™"^'"" 
?!!!%.  during  the  lapse  of  t:C^'T''-.   ^- 

Mish.  one  whi,  brL"  .h       ^  ^■''  °^""  "l*'^'"-. 

Seem.  .^  ..  u.  ,    /  '"^art.-the  dear  dehVlit 
-    -^  ..  uu  acsiicd,  perhaps  I  raigJu;-.   ' 


M.EMOIR     OP 

he  would  say  to  her  &  the  younger  sisters,  "come  daughters, 
1st  us  siug  the  hymn,  '*  O'er  the  gloomy  hills  of  darkness." 
It  was  a  custom  among  the  Baptist  ministers,  of  Berk- 
shire county,  and  vicinity,  to  meet  once  a  year  and 
preach  in  concert,  or  rather  in  succession  at  the  meeting 
house  of  some  one  specified  by  previous  appointment— 
and  so  yearly  onward  in  the  circle,  giving  each  church  in 
its  turn,  a  share  in  the  annual  festival.  "The  General  Meet- 
ing," as  it  was  called,  was  this  year  to  be  held  with  Mr. 
Covell's  church  at  Cheshire.    It  was  not  customary  for  the 
resident  minister  to  preach  on  such  occasions,  but  at  this 
interview,  and  on  the  last  day  of  the  feast,  which  was 
the  Sabbath,  it  was  unanimously  agreed,  "that  brother  Co- 
veil  must  preach  the  closing    sermon."    He  preached 
with  Elder  Worden's  people,  on  Stafford's  hill,  in  the 
morning,  and  in  the  afternoon  according  to  request  he 
occupied  his  own  pulpit.    The  text  from  which  he  spake 
is  not  recoUecletl,  but  the  effect  of  the  sermon  upon  the 
audience  can  never  be  forgotten.    It  was  known  that  he 
was  to  depart  on  his  mission,  the  next  morning,  and  this 
gave  added  interest  to  whatever  fell  from  his  lips.    The 
house  was  crowded  to  overflowing,  still  silence  reigned, 
and  a  consciousness  of  the  Divine  presence  pervaded  the 
assembly.    At  the  close  of  the  sermon,  he  sang  with  all 
his  appropriateness  of  look  and   gesture,  though  with 
thrilling  tone  and  deep  emotion,  the 

MINISTER'S  FAREWELL. 
1.  Farewell  my  brethren  in  the  Lord, 

The  gospel  sounds  a  jubilee  : 
My  stam'ring  tongue  shall  sound  aloud,     • 

From  land  to  land,  from  sea  to  sea  j 
And  as  I  preach  from  place  to  place, 
I'll  trust  alone  in  God's  free  grace. 

But  no,  what  here  we  call  our  life  is  s\ich, 
So  little  to  be  loved,  and  thou  so  much, — 
That  I  should  ill  requite  thee  to  constrain, 
Thy  unbound  E'pirit  into  bonds  agala." — Cow^er. 


LEMUEL     COVBLL. 

2.  Farewell  iq  bonds,  and  union  dear- 

Ih^mhl''^^'^  yo"  twine  about  1  heart  • 
I  humbly  be^r  yuur  earnest  pray'r^  ' 

Tini''rV*''""'^^'"°'"°reto'part-. 

iZZl  I  "'*  '"'"'  '"  ^^^rlds  above 
iiincircled  m  eternal  love.  ' 

3.  Farewell  my  earthly  friends  below 
j^Tho'allsoJnndand  dear  tome.       ' 

I 
To  sound  the  jofs,  and'bear^he 


147 


To  sound  the  gospel  jubilee- 


ToGe„UlewJrlds'aud;:;.Vrwr'' 

To  reiga  in  bliss  eternally  !         ^  ^^' 

5.  Farewell  to  all  below  the  sun  • 
And  as  1  pass  in  tears  below     ' 

Ana  Ood  will  keep  me  a«?  T  «n         ' 

And  God  will  keep  rin  hLhfnT 
And  bring  me  to  the  promis'd  land. 

6.  Farewell  farewell !  I  look  above  . 

Jesus  my  triend  to  thee  I  call  •        ' 
My  joy,  my  crown,  my  only  love 

My  safeguard  here,  my  heav'nl'y  all 
My  theme  to  preach,  my  son^  to  sinl ' 
My  only  joy  till  deaJh-ameS.  ^' 

Before  the  close  of  the  hvmn   t^^     i 

The  next  morning  his  bro.iter  preachers  dismo„„,.H  .. 
"^  """  '"  ""'  """  '"llf-     His  own  i.orse"";>;„; 


148 


MEMOIR  OP 


ready  saddled  and  equipped  for  him  to  depart  after  the 
expected  call.  The  morning  worship  in  which  aJl  united, 
as  may  well  be  supposed,  was  touched  with  unusual 
solemnity  and  fervor.  After  prayers  they  all  rose  to 
their  feet,  and  standing  sang  the  "  garden  hymn." 

While  the  last  stanza*  was  sounding,  the  dear  brother 
of  their  hearts  and  hopes  and  prayers,  took  every  indi- 
vidual by  the  hand  with  a  look  that  reflected  the  inward 
radiance  from  the  excellent  glory.  With  the  closing  of 
the  strain,  they  went  silently  out  and  departed.  We 
might  have  known  it  was  the  last  meeting,  the  last  part- 
ing; such  seasons  come  not  twice.  Nothing  remained 
but  to  give  his  trembling  family  the  parting  kiss,  the  last 
adieujt  and  go.  About  six  weeks  after  his  departure, 
his  family  received  the  following  letter : 

To  Mis.  Clarissa  Covell,  Cheshire,  Berkshire  Co.  Mass. 
Tuscarora  Village,  27ih  Sept.  1806. 
My  dearly  beloved  Wife  and  children  : 

I  now,  for  the  first  time,  sit  down  to  write  you,  and 
inform  you  of  my  safe  arrival  in  this  place,  and  present 
comfortable  state  of  health. 
'  I  arrived  here,  last  Lord's  day  morning— found  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Holmes  in  comfortable  health,  and  the  red 
people  all  well.  I  heard  Mr.  Holmes  preach  to  them  io 
the  forenoon,  and  in  the  afternoon  delivered  them  a  short 
discourse  myself.  The  saohetns  and  their  people  re- 
ceived me  with  tokens  of  joy  and  satisfaction.  I  inform- 
ed them,  after  public  worship,  that  I  had  a  talk  and  pres- 
ent for  them  from  our  Association,  and  should  be  glad  to 
know  when  it  would  be  agreeable  to  them  to  meet  in 

■  -  -  -         -         -  •     -  — 

**'Now  here's  iny  heart  and  hero's  uiy  hand, 

To  meet  you  in  iliat  heavenly  laud, 

Where  we  shall  pa.*  no  more." 
t«'  Dear  parent,  was  it  such  ?  it  was,  where  thou  art  gone, 
4.i:„..«  ,,,■,,}  rarnur.tlla  arp  it  Rniiiid  uDknown."_/7m/)'M<?r. 


l-EMUEL     COVELL. 


149 


order  .0  have  them  delivered.    They  agreed  to  meet  the 
next  day  for  that  purpose. 

Acoordinsly.on  Monday,  the  22dinst.  they  assembled 
and  I  delivered  them  the  talt  ,„i,-  u  ■'sseinDied, 

Ihem  in  dne  form  '  '"""''  "'"^  '"'"P''''^  '» 

I  then  presented  them  the  staff,  pipe,  and  box  of  tobac- 
co, and  explained  to  them  the  meaning  of  the  sveral 
.Smfican.  engravings  on  each  of  them.     They  appeared 

Irnmediately  after  the  ceremonies  of  deliverins  and 
explammg  these  articles,  the  sachem  filled  th    pt"  w^h 

:tTe:r::d"  r ""'  t.'  ^"  '"''"^  '^^-^  --^ ' ' 

circle  around  the  council  fire,  smoked  in  the  silver  nin.. 

m  token  of  our  mutual  friendshiu     I  m^        /  ^'^ 
;vould  have  added  much  to  m;'S;u/e  oT  Lrcttn" 
for  my  <|ear  Clarissa  to  have  been  a  participan  hi,' 

.  ;.dly  feast  of  smoking.  While  we  were  smoking,  ,he 
,,,  ""^  ^."l^''^  handed  round  from  one  to  the  other 
.111  each  ind.vidual  had  taken  and  viewed  thetS  tIo 
.sachems  then  according  to  their  usu.l  custom  "hanled 
me,  and  the  Association  for  ourLo  III  >„  .1  •  r 
».d  the  council  fire  was  cover^ed^  fi.; I'yi'::;, ""'"'"■ 

The  occurrences  of  my  journey  have  no,  been  mate.i- 

lly  different  from  those  of  former  journeys,  only  thaT  I 

hav^e^  performed  this  much  quicker  tl  J  ;ithe[  I'^Ll 

1  called  at  Worcester,  and  made  your  sisters,  Tirzah 
an     Polly,  a  visit,  preached  there  "the  firs.  Lrd's  day 

IT  I  f  T-  ^''^^  ^^'«  '»  '"l^-ble  health  bu^ 
■hey  had  heard,  though  not  so  directly  as  to  be  denended 
on,  that  their  brother  Thomas  Mather  is  deeeas'ed  1 
have  not  heard  it  confirmed,  but  I  fear  it  is  true  fo  it  has 

„t"  ',?  ""^'^*"  ">e  region  where  he  live    the  yea 
past.    I  have  enjoyed  attd  still  enjoy  an  unusuali:  I " 


150 


MEMOIR    OP 


State  of  health  for  me,  and  feel  no  apprehensions  on  ac^ 
count  of  my  health,  though  thousands  should  die  around 
me.  I  have  the  promise  of  God,  that  I  shall  live  as  long 
as  he  has  any  work  for  me  to  do,  and  I  have  no  desire  to 
live  a  moment  longer.  I  have  always  found  and  still 
find,  the  climate  of  this  country  very  congenial  to  my 
health,  and  this  circumstance  at  times,  speaks  in  my 
ears  louder  than  thunder— doubtless  you  understand  my 
meaning— and  I  pray  God,  I  may  understand  and  not 
resist  the  meaning  of  his  providence  ! 

I  have  not  yet  been  across  the  river  into  Upper  Canada, 
but  have  seen  some  of  the  people  from  that  side.  Un- 
derstand my  friends  in  general  are  all  well  in  those  parts. 
I  expect,  if  the  Lord  will,  to  cross  the  river  next  Wednes- 
day, and  make  my  way  to  Long  Poit.t.  I  expect  the 
company  of  Elder  Holmes  till  I  reach  the  Grand  River, 
and  that  of  Elder  Irish  through  the  journey.  1  shall  re- 
turn here,  perhaps,  by  the  middle  ot  October— shall  write 
you  again  soon  after  my  return  to  this  place. 

I  entertain  hopes  you  will  have  written  mo  before  you 
receive  this,  but  if  you  have  not  it  will  be  needless  for 
you  to  write  afterwards,  as  there  will  be  the  utmost  un- 
certainty whether  I  receive  it.  No  occurrence  has  yet 
raised  a   doubt  of  my  being  able  to  return  at  the  time 

appointed. 

I  have  left  several  appointments,  as  I  came  along,  tor 
preaching  on  my  return,  in  order  to  lay  myself  under  a 
necessity  not  to  stay  too  long  here;  for  I  confess,  that 
unless  something  much  stronger  than  my  inclinations 
should  impel  me  to  it,  I  never  should  leave  this  coun- 
try till  the  imperious  summons  should  call  me  away  from 
these  mortal  shores  to  that  bright  world  from  which, 

blessed  be  God,  there  is  no  return." 

*  ♦  ♦  .  *  * 

"Mrs.  Holmes  sends  her  love  to  ybu  all,  and  her  best 
wishes  for  your  welfare.    Give  my  love  to  all  our  breth- 


*****-*r^'^**«4Ast 


^-EMUEL     COVELL. 


151 


very  dear  fnend  a„?:::;r  ''""''•  ^'''  '''  ''''■ 

of  r/mlwlLr  °"'  ^  "^  J™"^^>  ^^ '  --ecu. 

-.    Wi,r'al.tr;:::jfr'  ---o.  was  landed 

hear,  refreshed  ^nJlytllZTL"''^  '■^"  "^ 

communicate  at  ihis  ,1,1    r,  u^    ""'     ^'""  '  have  to 

.;>e  ^eanfelt  p.ea's'^e  T^^^^r^''  '"°»"  ^ 

"he  tardiness  of  i|,e  wh^plc     r  "^"^  "  '°  ^^K.  'f 

was  matter  of  jo     to    o,    ,h      '"v  '''''"''  ^"^  ""'"k 

mail  stage,   were  eouallv         T"""*^''  "'  "'"'^  "^  '^e 

hours  more  had  IpsedLf  "'^  '^°''  '^  '"™'^''™' 

deprived  me  oft    ^t,^  r:,;:,r7'./'-uId  have 

long  and  fatiguing  iournev     t  r  n  ""^'"'^  '"'  "y 

^h-e^,ed  peculiar  satisfaction  in  rSr::!l.r-r 

But  I  must  proceed     T  arvir,^  i  •     ,  .   , 
■he  mornin,of  Ws  da  ."nt     7' !,'"''^^"'» 

worthy  friends,  Mr  and  mU  H  i  ■^''"'"' '""  ^^^ 
i.ea..h,  and  in  as  eood's  .i.tr  as""*;!:!  T^""""' 
stances  will  possibly  adrnit     I  ,M  7  ,  "'  '"■'=""»- 

Mrs.  Holmes  is  not  wJl  ""'  ''°"'*''"'  "'"''«« 

tensions  of  what  ma!  ,'1   T""' ■  ""''""'■""'""«  "PP"" 
had  a  trying  so  nTU       P'^««  ■»  ["t«re.    They  har. 

supported  hirher  0     Ho  '  •'?  ^''  ''**''  '''^'»«'r 

p-ise,  Lo  \v:  w- r  /rat?':  Teix'r  ^''"'• 

-  of  Chris,  hut  realize  L  ,Cu.  lit  'ri ":!!; 


152 


MEMOIR    OF 


f-j^ 


conscious  he  is  in  his  blessed  Master's  work,  and  it  is 
enough.  Tiiat  our  worthy  Elder  Holmes  enjoys  that 
pleasure  in  the  midst  of  his  trials,  is  beyond  a  doubt  in 
my  mind."  These  trials  arose  mainly  from  circumstan- 
ces connected  with  an  attempt  to  supplant  Mr.  Holmes, 
and  secure  the  ground  under  a  different  influence.  They 
are  detailed  in  the  letter  before  us,  but  as  they  do  not 
properly  come  within  the  scope  of  this  work,  they  are 

omitted. 

About  the  same  time,  and  probably  while  there  at  the 
"  loved  village,"  he  wrote  the  following  lines.  They  ap- 
peared after  his  decease,  in  the  Magazine  published  at 
Cazenovia,  by  the  Rev.  John  Peck,  the  present  distin- 
guished Agent  of  ihn  New-York  State  Baptist  Conven- 
tion, &c.  The  Publisher  gave  them  the  name  of  the 
"ASPIRATION." 

"  One  happy  evening  calm  and  bright 

The  world  stood  silent  by, 

My  muse  arose  and  took  her  flight 

To  reach  the  lofty  sky. 

My  soul  on  airy  pinions  flew, 
And  joyful  clapt  her  wings, 
And  soared  aloft  to  take  a  view 
Of  sweet,  celestial  things. 

Thro'  climes  and  worlds  before  unknown, 
She  reached  the  happy  plains. 
Where  on  a  high,  majestic  throne, 
My  smiling  Jesus  reigns. 

There  the  eternal  Father  sits  ; 
And  there  the  sacred  Dove  ; 
All  meaner  joy  my  soul  forgets, 
To  take  her  fill  of  love. 

There  hymning  seraphs  chant  their  songs, 
With  ever  new  delight. 
There  I  beheld  angelic  throngs, 
In  robes  divinely  bright. 


-"*'—*«•'«»«•»»*&**», 


'TprfTWiw" 


"""♦A' 


LEMUEL     COVELL. 

Who  once  were  here  beJow,  ' 

Complaining:  pilgrims  like  to  me. 
Now  /reed  irom  all  their  woe 

Their  harps  can  never  be  unstruntr 
So  near  the  Great  Supremer""^' 
I  listened  to  the  notes  they  sun- 
And  Jesus  was  their  thetne.      *" 

They  at  the  fountain  head  ol  bliss 
Drink  ever  fresh  supplies:  ' 

fc^!'/°^",r"P'''^ed  with  this, 
1  hats  found  beneath  the  skies. 

Why  must  I  grovel  here  below, 
Where  sin  and  sorrow  meet 
And  scarce  a  drop  of  comfort  know 
While  theirs  is  bliss  complete.       ' 

Yet  happy  souls,  T  would  not  ask 
10  take  your  seats  above- 
lam  unequal  to  your  task' 
Ol  service,  praise  and  love. 

Beneath  your  feet  some  humble  olacP 
Will  set  my  heart  at  rest  :  ^^'^' 

Only  the  nearer  Jesus' face, 
1  ne  more  divinely  blest. 

An  A"  *^'P^"^.^'^^  °n  his  smiles. 
And  centered  in  liis  love- 
Not  earth  nor  hell  with  all  their  wiles 
bhall  e'er  my  soul  remove. 

I'll  wait  my  heavenly  Father's  will 

And  stay  till  He  si  Jl  pleasJ;      ^ 
My  warmest  wishes  to  fulfil 
And  grant  a  sweet  release.  ' 


153 


1» 


154  M  E  M  0  I  R     0  F 

Then  I'll  recline  my  weary  head, 
And  bid  ihe  world  adieu  ; 
And  leave  my  flesh  ainonj;  the  dead, 
To  love  and  sing  with  you." 

*  And  soon,  probably  much  sooner  than  he  expected,  his 
heavenly  Father  did  please,—"  his  warmest  wishes  to 
fulfil,  and  grant  a  sweet  release."  He  Crossed  over  to 
the  Canada  side,  as  he  had  contemplated,  and  proceeded 
about  forty  miles  to  the  town  of  Clinton,  county  of  Lin- 
coln, and  put  up  at  the  house  of  a  Baptist  brother  and 
friend,  Mr.  Beam.  Whether  Mr.  Holmes  and  Mr.  Irish 
were  in  company  with  him  at  this  time,  is  not  known  to 
the  writer ;  but  it  appears  from  subsequent  information 
that  Mr.  Irish  proceeded  onward,  and  was  unaware  that 
his  brother  Covell  was  sick  or  at  least  dangerously  so  at 
the  time.  He  was  attacked  by  the  typhus  fever— was 
sick  about  a  fontnight,  and  partially  recovered,— the 
fever  returned  upon  him,  and  in  a  very  few  days  laid  his 
poor  weary,  way-worn  body  to  rest  in  the  bosom  of  ils 
parent  earth. 

"  But  O  tho  soul  that  never  dies, 

When  once  if  leaves  tht3  clay ; 

Ye  thoughts  pursue  it  where  it  flics, 

And  track  its  wondrous  way." 

During  the  first  stage  of  his  sickness,  he  spake  often 
of  his  family,  as  though  it  would  have  been  a  satisfac- 
tion to  be  with  them  while  he  was  sick.  Not,  however, 
that  he  lacked  for  suitable  attention.  The  good  people, 
in  whose  house  he  wap,  felt  that  it  was  a  great  privilege 
to  have  him  with  them ;  and  they  ministered  unto  him 
with  all  the  kindness  and  care  in  their  power,  and  pro- 
cured the  best  medical  advice  to  be  obtained  in  that 
region.  After  the  relapse  of  the  fever,  it  was  evident 
that  he  could  not  survive.  Saying  nothing  himself  about 
his  family,  he  was  asked  if  he  had  any  anxiety  respect- 
ing them?  he  replied,—"  Not  any,  I  have  given  them  up 


'T»5»'T' 


■•;-  •*«^fe 


LEMUEL     COVELI,  . 


155 


;letl,  his 
ishes  10 

over  to 
•oceeded 

of  Lin- 
ther  a»d 
ir.  Irish 
nown  to 
jrmation 
vare  that 
isly  so  at 
^er — was 
'ed, — the 
3  laid  his 
)m  of  its 


ake  often 

satisfac- 

however, 

d  people, 

privilege 

unto  him 

and  pro- 

1  in   that 

5  evident 

self  about 

\f  respect- 

I  them  up 


.0  lie  Lord."    Hi,  s.renglh  soon  failod,  so  &  he  could 
not  speak  above  a  whi.per.    The  last  words  that  could 

Dr  WauT--      '"  ^"""""'■'  '^"■^  =""«'  ^'""^as  fr<"u 

"      '"'■'  lil" '«  n  iliTnin,  an  empty  show, 
But  lh<!  brigli,  ,v,iil,l,  t.,  wliiul,  I  go, 
Hatli  jov,  siilMianlial  niiil  sincere- 
When  shall  1  wako  uuil  /i„J  ,„o  tlicro  ? 

0  glorious  hour,  O  blest  nhodn, 

1  elmll  bo  near,  aud  lite  my  'Joil, 
And  no.ih,  and  sin,  no  more  control 
Tlio  sacred  ploosurea  of  ihc  foul. 

After  this,  it  was  impossible  to  distitiguish  his  words 
connecttvelv,  hut  f,o„.  what  w,-,s  gathered,  it  walevi 
dent  that  h,s  sp.rit  was  ah.orhed  i„  prayer  for  the  exten- 
son  and  slory  o    Christ's  kingdom  on  ihe  earth;  anTon 
t  e  tj^orntng  of  the  S..hha,h,  Oct.  19,  1S06,  he  thus  1  ter 
ally  breathed  out  his  soul  into  ,he  ho.om  o  his  God  and 
doubtless  was  ad,ni„«,  ,,,  „in,  to  attend  divine  wor  1  .> 
m  h,s  more  immediate  presence,  not  indeed  in  an  earth iV 
a  ctuary    but  ,n  ihe   heaven  of  heavens,  the  holy  of 

ty  like  thi  ?       0  that  men  were  wise,  that  they  would 
consider  their  latter  end." 

Elder  Insh  thus  speaks  of  this  mournful  event,  in  a 
setts  Baptist  Missionary  Magazine : 

"At  a  meeting  i„  Ch.rlotteville,  I  heard  that  my  dear 
brother  Covell  was  dan.orously  ill: ,  therefore  concluded 
.0  leave  them,  and  go  and  see  him  and  then  return  agat 
The  attention  appeared  so  great  in  many  places  Iha    I 

coa,d„o.thi„,,U,my,,,leavethemfi„all    atthep    s 
t     Aecord,n»ly,  on  Wednesday,  I  set  out,  accompanied 

Irom  the  place  where  brother  Covell  was  sick.    We  rod. 


I 


156 


MEMOIR     OP 


until  we  came  within  20  miles  of  the  place,  when  we  heard 
he  was  dead  and  buried!     Oh,  how  my  poor  heart  fell! 
I  was  left  among  strangers,  ahuoit  300  miles  from  home, 
and  one  of  the  most  dear  and  intimate  friends  I  ever  had, 
taken  away  in  such  an  unexpected  time.    But  the  Judge 
of  all  the  earth  has  done,  and  will  do  right.    Brother 
Covell  had  done  his  work,  and  went  off  in  the  triumphs 
of  faith.    We  came  to   the  place  next  morning,  and 
found  Elder  Holmes  engaged  in  preaching  his  funeral 
sermon;  and  a  solemn  time  it  was.    After  sermon  we 
attended  to  settling  brother  Covell' ;  business,  and  the 
next  day  set  out  on  our  return  to  Towns^nd,  where  we 
arrived  the  day  following,  and  found  the  church  met  to- 
gether; and  when  we  informed  them  of  brother  Covell's 
death,  the  whole  assembly  seemed  most  deeply  affected. 
It  appears  that  this  church  was  mostly   the  ^fruit  of  his 
labors  in  his  former  visits.    Wnen  he  was  with  them 
the  last  year,  he  assisted  in  their  constitution.    I  think  I 
can  truly  say  that  there  never  has  been  any  preacher  in 
these  parts  more  highly  and  More  universally  esteemed 
than  he  was;  and  a  greater  and  more  universal  lamenta- 
tion I  never  heard  in  any    'lace  Tor  any  man,  than  in 
Upper  Canada  for  him.    Bni  alas!    he  is  gone.    May 
God  grant  that,  like  Samson,  he  may  slay  more  at  his 
death  than  he  has  in  all  his  life.     Some  of  the  church  in 
Townsend  in  their  lamentation  would  break  their  silence 
and  cry  out,   "O  my  father  in  the  gospel!"    O,  that 
blessed  minister  of  Christ,  who  was  used  as  God's  in- 
strument to  open  my  eyes— shall  I  never  see  him  again 
in  this  world."     We  then  joined  and  sang  the  third 
hymn  of  the  secona  book  of  Dr.  Watts,  and  concluded 
the  opportunity    in    prayer  to  Almighty  God,   that  he 
would  sanctify  this  dispensation  to  the  good  of  many 
precious  souls. 

Respectfully  your  brother,  David  Irish. 


LtMUEL     CO  VBLL. 


157 


To  complele-our  history,  wc  must  return  to  Cheshire 
About  ,h,oc  weeks  before  Mr.  Covell  was  expected  to 
return,  hts  laraily  were  agreeably  surprised  one  morning 
by  tbeentrancoof  their  dear  and  I„„s  „iej  Wend,  Daoa 
Rouse,  aecompanted  by  ono  of  .he  neighbor,.    All  snrantr 
wth  gladness  to  u,eet  the  holy  ™a„,  but  be  c  u    ""  < 
meet  them  ,v,th  answering  joy.    After  exchanging  some 
few  words  of  enquiry  about  health,  the  good  old  mTn 
sat  down       ercome  with  emotion.    Mrs!  Cov      wa" 
s    rcely  less  ,g„a.ed.    After  an  embarrassing  pause  The 
eldes  daughter,  .nquircl  if  Deacon  Rouse  had  rec    ved 
■iny  late  news  from  her  father?    "My  child    said  h^ 
mr father  U  <kad!"  ^  '  ^^' 

Possibly  the  out  side  of  the  scene  might  be  described- 
but  the  ,„»«,.</  shock,  the  aimost  total  'extinct.oTo  We 
and  feeltng,  save  the  one  («li„g  of  blasted  hope,  and  the 
nnposs,h,l„y  of  surviving  under  i.,  is  not  in  the  ^ower  of 
language  to  express.    Jiu'^  ,ime  was  not  ye,  cole 

ossibT  'T  f  !«"""*" '"-'hough  seemngirL: 
possible  and  undestrable.  ..Indeed  after  this  Ion.  lapse^f 
years, ,  .s  difficult  toM^t  the  painful  story  ^i  h  suffi- 
cient  coherence  to  be  intelli-il  le. 

,„pn"'Xv'u,°''."'""'''"''^'  ^™"«  """'  been  conveyed 
to  Elder  Webb,  in  Troy,  with  a  request  that  he  would 

iryiQg  task.    He  called  on  his  brother  Kendrick  cf  Lan 

wa  too  pa,„fu  for  him.  Together  they  rode  up  ,o 
Piltstown  ,0  their  aged  friend  and  fa.her,  Deacon 
Rouse  He  was  himself  overwhelmed  with  grkf  b„" 
saw  that  ,t  was  his  lot  to  accept  the  painful  duty.  He 
had  arrived  in  Cheshire  over  uight,  and  came  in, 'in  ,he 
morning  as  has  been  stated. 

His  afflictive  errand  had  been  made  known  befure  he 

called  on  Mrs.  Covell.  and  soon  h.r  1,0^,..  ^„_  ..  . 

i  —  .luuce  Was  iJirongeu 


.*^'  * 


m  *f 


158 


MEMOIR     or 


and  continued  to  be  for  several  days.    The  people  were 
struck  with  astonishment  and  grief.    Could  it  be  so? 
Could  they   have  it  8u?     Funeral  sermons  had    been 
preached  for  him  in  several  places,  before  the  distressing 
tidings  reached  his  family  and  Huck  in  Cheshire— that 
was  on  Tuesday.    Elder  Leiand  wan  preparing  to  attend 
the  mournful  duty  there,  on  Friday.    During  the  interim, 
Elder  Kendrick  arrived,  to  mingle  his  own  tears  wuii 
those  of  the  bereaved  and  afflicted  family  and  people.— 
He  was  importuned  fot  a  word  of  consolation  publicly, 
and  finally  consented  to  preach  an  evening  sermon  at 
Mrs.   Covell's   house.    He  disclaimed  all  intention   of 
preaching  a  funeral  discourse.    Siill  he  could  not  avoid 
something  very  like  one.    I  lis  text  was  a  passage  in 
Psalms:  "Trust  in  the  Lord  at  all  times,  O  ye  people, 
praise  ye  the  Lord."     On  Friday,  according  to  appoint- 
ment, the  funeral  was  attended  in  Cheshire;  and  Elder 
Leiand  preached  from  2  epistle  general  of  Peter,  i,  12,13. 
As  a  conclusion  to  his  discourse  he  introduced  the  fol- 
lowing poem : 
Ah !  my  dear  brother  Covell  1  art  thou  gone? 
Hast  thou  forsaken  earth  for  worlds  unknown? 
And  hast  thou  found  those  mansions,  far  above, 
Where  every  bosom  glows  with  sacred  love? 
And  hast  thou  found  the  disembodied  throng, 
To  sound  thy  harp  in  their  triumphant  song? 
And  dost  thou  now  with  angels  vie  in  praise, 
And  sweep  the  golden  harp,  in  high,  seraphic  lays? 

Is  Jesus  in  thy  view  ?  dost  thou  behold 
His  sacred  head,  adorned  with  radiant  gold? 
Doth  he  appear  as  lovely  in  thine  eyes 
As  revelation  saitli,  as  faith  descries? 

Yes,  thou  art  gone  ;  thy  better  part  is  fled  j 
Thy  body  only  is  among  the  dead. 
Before  thy  rnurlal  limbs  were  sliif  and  cold, 


'^ 


'-EMDEL  OOVBLL, 


159 


Thy  soul  was  g:one  ten  chousnnd  leairues  twice  told. 

The  news  troni  Canada  has  r.ached  our  ears  : 
Winch  grieves  our  hearts  and  fill,  our  eyes  w ah  tears. 
The  news  declares  that  Covell's  spirii'3  Ld  • 
Just  twenty-seven  days  he's  been  amon^  thJdead. 

Should  some  departed  souls  to  earth  return 
On  messages  ol'love  of  vat  concern,  ' 

To  warn  the  wicked,  comlurt  the  distressed, 
Strengthen  .he  feeble,  and  relieve  the  oppres;ed j 
Should  Covdl's  soul  appear  with  us  to-day 
And  hll  thi^  de«k,  instead  of  worthless  me  • 
How  would  the  people  feel  to  hear  him  tel/ 
Ihe  joys  of  heaven   -,.1  awful  pains  of  hell ' 
Fancy  conjecture      .oul.Mie  come  to  preach,' 
He'd  deal  a  doub  0  »  artio    out  to  each 

As  spirit,  can  uo^  >p,al,  without  the  help  of  ( 'ay 
I II  lend  him  my  poc,  mortal  tongue,  to-day 
Then  hark !  and  hear  what  Covell  has  to  say  : 

"  My  Avife  !  ihe  partner  of  my  former  bed 
Our  conjugal  enjoyments  now  are  dead        ' 
We  bound  ourselves  for  life,  but  life  is  gone- 
Those  who  had  wives,  are  now  as  though  they'd  none 
Fleshy  connections  never  can  abide, 
Within  these  mansions  where  I  now  reside  • 
Yet  friendship  dear,  and  fellowship  divine  ' 
Are  heavenly  things,  whirh  never  can  decline 

"  0  Clarissa !  weep  not  for  me;  'tis  vain  • 
My  face  you  never  will  behold  again.  ' 
A  widow's  hardships  you  must  belir  awhile  • 
Exposed  to  injury,  distress,  and  toil.  ' 

Always  remember  what  the  Lord  hath  said 
•I'll  be  the  widow's  God,  the  orphan's  aid :' ' 
Trust  in  his  word;  iio  never  spake  in  vain- 
He'll  guide  and  guard  you  through  this  world  of  pain  • 
Then  m  full  glory  you  shall  live  anH  .«;„.        "*  i  ^in , 


iilJ 


•'  ,; 


160 


MEMOIR  OT 


«  My  first  born,  Deidamia!  hear  your  father's  voice! 
In  youthful  days,  O  make  ihe  Lord  your  choice. 
All  things  beneath  the  burning  sun  are  vain, 
But  Christ  is  life,  and  heaven  is  boundless  gain. 
Repent  of  sin,  believe  in  gospel  grace. 
Then,  when  you  die,  you'll  see  your  father's  face. 

"  Sally  !  my  lovely  Sally,  you  must  die ;     , 
Let  youthful  charms  give  way  to  piety. 
Though  I  am  dead,  like  Abel  now  I  speak: 
O  tall,  like  Mary,  at  your  Savior's  feet. 
For  sinners,  Jesus  bore  exquisite  pain; 
Let  not  his  blood  be  spilt  for  you  in  vain. 

"  Cordelia!  know  thy  father  loves  thee  still: 
Though,  cheerfully  resigned  to  the  Almighty's  will, 
My  station  now  forbids  all  earthly  care, 
To  feed  your  body,  or  your  dress  repair; 
Yet  one  grave  warning  I  am  sent  to  give : 
Look  at  your  Savior,  and  your  soul  shall  live. 

"Julia!  my  youngest  daughter,  charming  child, 
Be  not  by  wicked  customs  e'er  beguiled. 
The  virtuous  pattern ;  let  the  virtuous  throng, 
Govern  your  passions,  and  command  your  tongue. 
Regard  your  mother,  still  her  counsels  hear, 
Keep  from  her  eyes  the  parent's  painful  tear. 
"Alanson!  my  son,  ray  lovely,  only  son! 
Farewell,  my  bjibe;  thy  father's  glass  is  run. 
Whose  hand  may  guide  you,  what  your  lot  may  be, 
Is  ciily  known  by  the  great  Deity. 
Know,  then,  thy  father's  God,  my  son,  in  youth; 
Receive  the  Savior;  trust  the  word  of  truth. 
Out  of  the  mouth  of  babes,  God  can  ordain 
Surprising  strength,  to  stop  the  mouths  of  men. 

"Brethren  and  neighbors,  when  I  left  the  town, 
I  little  thought  I  never  should  return ; 
But  He,  who  governs  all  things,  did  ordain, 
That  you  and  i  should  never  meet  again, 


LEMUEL     COVELL. 


161 


Now  Lelan'a  i^Hu:^^.  t^"""'^  '-^-  = 
Brethren  !  the  Drearhn.   ^  "*^*-"fs  his  own  : 

And  the  cold  ..rounrt  h7  7   '""^^  ''"^  fleS. 

Zion,  whosere/  L  ;  'nr;"'"':  ^'™  "°  ^ 
The  sadness  ot yo^  ZZ' IT       '',  ''"• 

And  say,  our  friend  and  pastor.  ealNH 

Bui  let  not  funeral  tea  s  n  on    ,     f  ""''■'>'• 
Mourn  for  your  sin-  V  7       .       ''"  ''""^' 

To  send  this  t„.e::f:!;'t;:;:rr:r^''^-""^«^^ 

Tl.ot,.h  prophets  dird!,"  'T"  '°^'-^- 
He  will  preserve  thelTl  ,  '  ''"'"  '"  ''"^'. 
SoTeral  cbituaiT  notT  '" '"■"'  '™^'-" 

k«  .ae  nru-cle  „  I'  "„    ;".-  P^-'i-^'-d  at  the  ,i„„. 

clopedia"  is  a  very  Cd  11       ''■'  "^'"sion,  E„  !.' 
-^^«  is  presented  ;  ,    aueCT  "'  f'™'  »"•     The 
words  descriptive  of  his  p.ton  t  /    ,'  "f '  '^"''  »  '"^^ 
elow  the  common  stature  IXf'^T       ">=  ^^^«  rather 
l.e  became  very  thin  and   2e     IT  '",°^""""^'  "-"S'' 
'"S  great  expansion  of  intec'     r       - ""' '"'""  '"'^-ot- 
d«k  blue  eye;  of  deep  r,  d  1,^?'"'^?°"  ''''*.  "nd 
'«hcr  strongly  marbd^„d  fac,      i""',  '"^'' '  ^^'-""<^s 
He  ever  exhibited  grea  nea  „e     ^r    ''"     '"  """'  ^^""«- 

"O'ce  was  clear  and  ntnieul!    ,  "''  »''''•■  "His 

-Basing,  his  doer  „e"  tl     ior,  '"f""  "'""'^  »" 
P'^aehing  of  the  most    o  ,d  and  .    '    '°  "''•^''  ""''  '"' 

^^'hc  religion  he  p  ot ted M?"'?™'  ''""•    «= 
Known,  nn- h-  ui        -    ^^^^"j  and  AviiPiovrr  h^ 

-  "".highlv  and  universally  esieeraed"  "' 


MEMOm    OF 

Time  would  fail  to  enumerate  the  lamentations,  tBe 
mourning.,  exci.ed  by  .his  unlocked  for  this  dark  my. 
terious,   humbling  Providence.    Suffice  "  to  say  they 
were  co-extensive  with  his  acquamtanoe.    But  the  esti 
ra  on  in  which  he  was  held,  was  not  r<^^»f'f}'J 
erf  alone.    For  his  sake  many,  ve,y  many,  de  .gh.ed  to 
Sow  kindness  to  his  mourning  widow  and  iatherless 
chUdren.    The  dear  people  in  Cheshire,  came  m  w  A 
"h   r    rcewiU  offerings,  making  ample  provismns  for  the 
l^oLingwinter     B,..L^n.U^^^^^^^^^^^ 

rSThHrtrairidt:!.^ 

too  cal^vilb  testimonials  of  love  to  'h^  '""f  »°*  "" 
rmr«  ^vith  the  o..er  members  of  the  church  and  so- 

»tLrt::<Sera.tr;^^^^^^^^^^ 
--'T^r^eorht^rurrsir^^^^^^^ 

among  many  ^^^''^'^H  ^  J^       ^^  ,^,  ,^,allest  of  his 

?::n!;Lsofgood.wi.Uo,.do.t^^^^^^^ 
SLrrrtror^haXwhichdeservesanotice 

'' HV'posse7;ed  a  vividness  of  perception  that  enabled 

"r  "  "TaTnott  .0  -t'-v  "ceof'an  author  or 
l^rtfZ  :.r  listening  to  another,  he  could 
r.t  same  time  be  pursuing  a,  different  tra.n  of  thought 
This  own  mind,  without  Jo#S  the  connection,  or  b  - 
mhso«n  m     ,         ^■^     instance  in  pomt,  that 

r;;:ri:?re'-IuSlf  some  who  »ay  read  the. 
pages. 


LEMUEL    COVELL. 


163 


Returning-  fiorn  the  Association  at  Troy,  in  corapany 
with  other  brethren,  he  called  at  a  friend's  in  Lansin/- 
burgh.    One  says,  "brother  Covell,  I  was  sorry  to  have 
you  lose  brother  Gano's  sermon  last  evenin<r.»    «  j  ]ose 
It,"  said  he,    "and  why  should  you  think°I  lost  it?" 
"Because  I  saw  you  was  engaged  in  writing  the  answer 
to  the  Tuscarora  talk,  and  that  that  occupied  you  till 
about  the  close  of  the  discourse."    "True,"  said  Mr 
Covell,  "but  I  can  show  you,  nevertheless,  that  I  heard 
the  sermon."    He  then  repeated  the  text,  Heb.  xii  1  2 
noticing  particularly  Mr.  Gano's  expression  of  the  sin 
which  doth  so  easily  beset  us,  as  evidently  meaning  from 
the  context  preceding,  the  sin  ofunbelief,  and  not  as  was 
generally  supposed,  something  we  were  severally  prone 
tOj  or  easily  beset  by.     He  proceeded  to  repeat  the  divis- 
ions and  leading  ideas  of  the  subject. 

In  view  of  results  exceeding  all  ordinary  bounds  of 
expectation,  with  propriety  we  excla-^,  see  "  what  hath 
God  wrought."    And  this  is  the  fet  n.  ^  which  involun- 
tarily arises  in  reviewing  the  history  of  those  events  in 
which  Mr.  Covell  shared  so  conspicuous  a  part.    And  to 
contemplate  him,  as  he  stood  in  the  midst  of  his  denom- 
ination, in  frequent  councils,  on  varied  and  trying  occa- 
sions, at  ordinations,  at  associations,  at  conventions  at 
devotional  meetings  of  almost  every  form,— to  behold  him 
occasionally  confronted  with  powerful  adversaries  to  the 
truth,  some  of  them  impostors,  some  open  infidels,  and 
some  erroneous  teachers,  ever  obtaining  the  victory  by 
the  skilful  application  of  a  « thus  it  is  written  "—to  see 
him  ever  wielding  the  pen  of  the  ready  writer,  generally 
the  chosen  scribe  of  public  occasions,  and  the  draftsman 
of  public  documents— often  the    selected    preacher   at 
associations  and  other  public  occasions,  to  behold  on  all 
occasions,  his  enlargedness  of  thought,  the  unpremedit- 
ated   copiousness  and  pertinence  of  his  remarks,  the 

11* 


■ri#,^*fi'  „/ 


164 


MEMOIR  0  F 


occasional  loftiness  of  his  style,  the  grammatical  correct- 
ness of  his  language,-the  inquiry  naturally  rises,  can  we 
expect  to  look  upon  his  like  again  1    Probably  not ;  as  it 
is  not  probable  that  circumstances  will  require  such  an- 
other    The  great  and  glorious  Head  of  the  Church,  is 
as  <rlorious  in  economy  as  in  grace,  and  fashions  the 
instruments  of  his  holy  purposes,  according  to  the  ser- 
vice they  will  be  required  to  perform;  and  on  this  princi- 
ple, may  we  not  expect,  and  do  we  not  behold,  m  every 
age  and  generation,  some  few  master  spirits,  who  will 
not  only  be  adapted  to  the  circumstances  of  the  society 
and  times  in  which  they  live,  but  will  be  as  it  were 
"advance  couriers"  to  those  who  shall  succeed?    And 
here  springs  up  a  consolation  in  the  remembrance  that 
both  "  they  that  went  before  and  they  thai  followed  after, 
cried  hosannah,  to  the  son  of  David,  blessed  is  he  that 
cometh  in  the  name  of  the  Lord." 


,'r    '^i   •* 


■»*■ 


L  EMUEL     COVELL. 


165 


CHAPTER    VII. 

Session  of  1807;   Vi<5ir  nf  T7i,in^  t  •  u    t^ 
the  Minutes;  IntSn-  Nmf  nf  n'^^  ^^°"^ 

ac  Poem;  Grave  °  ""^  ^''  ^aWwin  j  Elegi- 

The  next  session  of  the  Association  Avas  held  with 
the  bereaved  church  in  Cheshire.  A  full  and  in  resTin^ 
representation  attended,  with  distinguished  brethren S 
other  Associations,  and  among  them  Rider  7^17  tT 
■ng  mdeed  was  his  errand  of  love  He  had  t"  ^ 
-sit  that  interesting  body  of  men  :;ho!e  ,       ,;r:    o' 

ZrlTI  V'  ^-^  P"-^^^-^  fellow-m  n  t  the 
vest--to  mmgle  h,s  sorrows  with  those  who  had  so  of 

dltXtl"'  "'i^-^llf  -'-'Mear  brothe    Co: 

where  ,he.r  precious  friend  hud  brea.hed  Ins  las     Zw 
cause  the,r  hearts  to  bleed  afresh.    All  l,is  iVbnr  „r  ? 
;..  attending  to  his  friend,  coneerns.tld     ,        ',       r 

Pleasure     But  now  he  had  come  to  that  which  taxed  hU 

ens.b,lu,es  to  the  „,„,os,,  and  on  arrinn.  at  house 

of  h,s  dear  brother  CovelPs  widow,  he  was  obliged    ' 

pause  scne  considerable  ti.ne  at  a  short  di  .a„  e  lei  : 

enter  and  pefomi  his  mournful  errand.     But  whv  ..^ain 

dwelling  on  this  painful  ihe„=e?    Well '  fcro  I' 

—      "  til  X  iino\v  iijui  re- 


166 


MEMOIR  OF 


calling  those  agonizing  sceres,  will  not  recall  ray  dear 
father  to  our  embraces.  But  pardon  me,  dear  reader;  a 
wound  that  can  never  be  thoroughly  healed,  will  still 
flow  out  whenever  re-opened. 

Returning  to  our  narrative,  we  conuaence  with  article 
6,  of  th^^.  Minutes  of  this  session. 

6.   The  following  report  was  received  from  iho  Mis- 
sionary Committee  :— 

"Your  Committee,  char^jed  wiiU  Missionary  affairs, 
beg  leave  to  report,  that  during  the  last  year,  we  have 
received  .^i;:{D,67,  which,  added  to  ^59,44i,  the  surplus 
remaining  in  the  Treasary  .tour  last  meeting,  amounts 
'ft4i99,lli.  That  we  have  einployed  brother  Jonathan 
'Finch,  three  months,  as  a  mist  ionary,  for  which  services 
v.'e  have  paid  him  ^50,  and  ^3,50  for  pamphlets  he  dis- 
tnlMJted  on  his  mission.  That  we  have  employed  broth- 
j^f  Lemuel  Covell,  three  months,  as  a  missionary^  for 
which  we  have  paid  him  ^50.  That  a  ten  dollar  bill, 
the  Treasurer  paid  brother  Covell,  being  counterfeit,  we 
have  directed  him  to  pay  ten  dollars  out  of  the  Treasury 
to  his  widow— amounting,  in  (he  whole,  to  $138,50; 
leaving  a  surplus  in  the  Treasury  of  $60,61i,  as  appears 
per  Treasurer's  report. 

"  That  brother  Finch  has  made  a  very  acceptable  re- 
port to  this  Committee,  of  his  mission  through  part  of 
Vermont  and  New-York,  on  the  west  side  of  Lake 
Champiain.  We  are  deeply  impressed  that  his  labors 
have  not  been  in  vain  in  the  Lord,  but  rendered  peculiar- 
ly beneficial  to  perishing  souls.  We  feel  an  increasing 
conviction,  that  we  ought  to  continue  our  exertions  to 
send  the  joyful  tidings  of  salvation  into  that  country . 

''That  the  report  of  brother  Covell's  mission  through 
the  western  settlements  of  New- York,  on  to  the  Tusca- 
rora  Nation  of  Indians,  and  iato  the  Province  of  Upper 
Canada,  we  shall  not  have  flam  himself,  until  we  hear 


I.EMOEL    OOVELt. 


ler 


b.s  his  ory  m  heaven.    We  learn,  however,  thai  he  was 
f  «hful  an  0  the  death.     The  perishing  s,a4  o(  ,he  Zl 
pie,  and  .he  cause  of  God,  very  loudly  call  for  our  ut- 
mos  exertions  to  continue  sending  missionaries  imo  that 
country.     The  mournful  death  of  our  much  lamented 
ad  dearly  beloved  brother  Covell,  casts  a  sorrowful 
gloom  over  our  hearts.    Low  lies  the  body  of  our  la 
brother  Covell     I„  ,he  cause  of  God  he  e'nded  his  ca 
eer     H.s  soul,  ,ve  trust,  has  gone  home  to  glory.  whUe 
h.s  bouy  has  descended  .„  the  dust.    And  shal7  he 
missionary  spirit  die  with  him?    Shall  that  descedt 
the  grave  too?    God  forbid?    No,  brethren,  may  the 

m  tne  cause  of  God,  and  try  to  promote  the  spread  of  the 
glorious  gospel  of  Christ  in  a  dying  world. 
By  order  of  Committee, 

,,  „  I^""  Webb,  Chairman. 

Wathaniel  Kendrick,  Clerk. 
Cheshire,  June  2,  1807." 

Brother  Finch  presented  letters  to  the  Associa.i„„ 

>sl..ng  inhabitants  of  their  land.    Brother  Webb  III 
sented  a  written  Talk  fmr.  .1,=  t  P"^^" 

which  they  express  thfrht        ,"""'  ^''^'"""'  '" 

but  the  Otseffo  Assorin   L  t         ■■  ^^"^  associated  Shaftsburv 

year  organized  a  board  of  miLioZlLj^  "'^  L^^«'  ^his  same 
I-wtoa's  Hi.ory  of  the  NerSritX Sp^t  toll^t^^' 


168 


MEMOIR     OP 


They  wish  to  continue  receiving  missionaries  from  us, 
and  that  the  chain  of  friendship  may  be  kept  bright. — 
Brother  Irish  presented  letters  from  the  churches  in 
Townsend  and  Charlolteville,  importing  their  steadfast- 
ness in  the  truth,  and  expressing  their  thanks  to  the 
Association  for  their  epistles  of  love,  and  missionary 
services  to  them;  requesting  that  they  maybe  continued. 
He  also  gave  a  particular  verbal  account  of  the  last  in- 
defatigable labors  of  brother  Covell,  and  of  his  triumph- 
ant death,  through  an  unshaken  failh  in  his  Divine  Re- 
deemer. 

7.  After  hearing  the  Committee's  report,  together  with 
the  documents  and  verbal  accounts  accompanying  it, 

Eesolved,  unanimously^  That  this  Association  do  cor- 
dially approve  of  the  doings  of  the  said  Committee,  and 
the  services  of  brother  Finch,  as  reported: — That  we 
think  it  our  duty  to  continue  our  exertions  in  sending 
missionaries  into  destitute  places;  and  in  order  for  this, 
we  appoint  brethren  Blood,  Hull,  Webb,  Peck,  Glass, 
Kendrick,  Upham,  Rouse,  Hendrix,  West,  Himes,  and 
Hinmau,  our  Missionary  Committee  for  the  ensuing  year. 

11.  Appointed  brethren  Webb,  Hull,  Peck  and  Ken- 
drick, our  Committee,  to  wait  on  brother  Holmes,  agree- 
able to  his  request ;  to  consult  with  him  on  measures  for 
the  continuance  of  his  mission  among  the  Indians;  and 
whatever  may  relate  to  the  good  af  Zion:  and  that  they 
prepare  and  send,  in  behalf  of  the  Association,  a  Cor- 
responding Letter  to  the  Tuscarora  Nation  of  Indians, 
in  answer  to  their  written  Talk  to  us. 

18.  Appointed  brother  Kendrick  to  answer  the  letters 
to  the  Association,  from  the  churches  of  Townsend, 
Charlolteville,  Plattsburgh  and  Peru. 

19.  Ordered,  that  a  Dirge,  composed  by  a  young  lady,* 

*  I  have  learned  that  this  young  lady  was  a  sister  in  the  Ste- 
pheutowa  church,  but  have  hever  been  able  to  learn  her  name. 


LEMUEL     COVELL. 


169 


on  the  death  of  brother  Cnvnii  k 

utes.  "^'"^  ^'  P''°^e^  with  our  Min- 

Coveir.  widow 'and  chUdl    , '/..TJ"  °"'""'" 

like  precious  oi„.„,en.  poured  f^rth.  "''  ^'"^ 

Tl,e  Committee  charged  with  missionary  affair,    .nl. 
Ibis  opporluh  tv  to  <yive  r,ffi,.ror  •     '     ".'  ™^>'s,  lake 

have  appointed' brethn  tlGl^r^.V'^'  '"^^ 

Committee  to  the  Saratoga  AsfodaLnto'''""''"'  " 
coalition  with  ih^m  ■„  „       association,  to  propose  a 

-.ngmisiii?,  rirpitri?"' "'''-' "' 

brother  Kendrick  a  committ  e  o  makT.h-        ' "'"'""'' 
.0  .Oe  Vermont  Association!'  wXf:  tZZZi: 

and  place   witf^h     J'"  ""'  """'  "'  "'^  ''»"«  "»« 

■ate  'w  opp  „„  /™:t""^  ^r™"-'-  --J  -l-r 

brethren  ;„  ,7     ""  '^   '""sl   earnestly   to  entreat  their 
benevolence,  „.a  D.  B^StL^u^  h^i^r^'^US^V^^eSl: 


170 


MEMOIR    OP 


» 


subscription,  and  so  to  form  a  district  in  each  of  their 
congregations  or  pu  ishes,  and  each  district,  (should  it 
contain  only  ten  subscribeis,  one  dollar  each,)  is  request- 
ed to  send  a  trustee  to  mtet  at  the  time  and  place  nbove 
alluded  to. 

ELEGY, 

ON  THE  DEATH  OF  BROTHER  LEMUEL  COVELL. 

Hail,  sacred  Muse!  inspire  a  female  pen 
With  flowing  numbers,  and  a  lofty  strain, 
To  sing  0*"  CuvLLi.  .s  late,  untimely  fall; 
A  shining  light,  remov'd  from  Zion's  wall, 
And  sunk  in  night:  darkness  involves  the  poles, 
And  a  broad  gloom  o'erwhelms  our  weeping  souls : 
Scarce  can  we  hope  an  equal  orb  will  rise, 
Since  his  bright  soul  has  pass'd  the  lower  skies: 
Zion  stands  trembling;  all  her  pillars  mourn; 
Her  richest  dust  lies  hid  in  Covell's  urn. 
Let  gloomy  cypress  weave  a  mournful.shade, 
And  bending  willows  hang  their  drooping  heads 
Around  the  spot  where  his  deai  uody  lies, 
In  distant  lands,  beneath  inclement  skies. 

No  warlike  au3,  nor  deeds  of  martial  ...  ne— 
Of  sanguinary  heroes,    tain  his  name: 
Not  all  the  honors  of  a  uuted  field 
Could  add  "  charm,  or  one  new  lustre  yield 
To  CovEL'     worth     Religion';i  vot'rv  shines 
In  diff'rent  wreaths,  wrought  out  by  ski"  divine. 

Meek,  mild,  intelligent,  and  full  of  lot'e— 
His  office  ^ucred,  giv  u  him  from  above. 
Nature  and  grace  their  richs^t  gifts  be  tow'd, 
To  adorn  tb--  ma  a,  and  form  tb.;  caint  J  God: 
HescL    'd'^     ign'd,  by  thp  Alm.^hty  h  nd, 
To  SOI     I  t      gospel  tram]   t  through  tv  e  laud. 
His  deep  disct  rnment,  anu    is  ready  wit, 
And  native  eloquence,  pronouace  him  fit 


"■E*'      EI,     OOVSLL. 


To  spread  the  tidiu,     .f  ,alva,io„  round, 

H,s  worth  well  known,  hi,  brethren  send  him  forth 
To  pteach  the  gospel  i„  the  distant  north, 
n  seem'd  God  erown'd  l„s  labors  with  succes. 
To  si^ead  the  gospel  in  the  wilderness:  ' 

L.ke  Paul  he  planted  churches,  and  ordain'd 
Elders  who  .nighuhe  truth  maintain: 
To  feed  te  flock,  and  daily  bring  to  view, 
Fr^.  God>s  great  treasure-house,  things/old  and  new 

His  great  success  charm'd  all  his  brethren  so 
Agatn  he's  calPd-again  submits  to  go,  ' 

^here  superstition  rear'd  its  horrid  head 
And  Ignorance  n    1  witchcraft  terrors  spr'ead- 
Sed.t,ous  murm  .  .js  thtough  the  village  ra„- 
Inferna  rage  and  malice  led  the  van  > 
Tl>  unburyM  hatchet,  and  the  bloody  knife 
Proclatm  the  onset  of  approaching  strife      ' 

CovEi,,,  arrives  !-but  not  with  sounding  car 
Nor  legtons,  train'd  in  all  the  arts  of  war  ' 

Waumg  .be  dread  command  to  strike  th;  blow 
ro  lay  usurping  chiefs  and  warriors  low  ' 

A  one  „„arn,>d,  this  heav'nly  champion  stood, 
Una  vM  by  savages,  who  thirst  for  blood  • 
leekness  and  love  adorn'd  his  steadv  brow 

Wn,k  truth  encircled,  like  the  radiant  bow' 
Persuas.ve  eloquence,  like  summer  showers', 

1  anght  them,  tu      ove  to  God,  and  love  to  man 
Were  sacred  vir,:  .s,  and  surpassing  far  ' 

The  honors  :,ain'd  b,  fierce,  unnai'^l  war. 

Heav>„le„.i,s.  j,,assi„amcr,alhand 
P  »-. 0  restore,  and  order,  ,l,..gh  the  land: 
Sub,n,ss.ve  war    .,s,  bendi-.-      -don  crave 


ni 


^^^IHl 


172 


MEMOIR     OP 


To  prove  they  were  sincere,  the  triple  wampum  gave, 

(Emblem  of  peace)  by  Covkll's  hand  tliey  send, 

Who  gladly  bears  il  to  his  anxious  friends. 

His  friends  receive  with  joy  ihe  peaceful  sign  ; 

Enraptur'd  hearts  in  solemn  praises  join 

T'  adore  the  pow'r,  and  bless  the  hand  divine 

Thai  could  perform  such  wonders;  could  control 

The  fiercest  passions  of  the  savage  soul. 

Sure  infidels  must  stand  amaz'd,  and  own 

The  gospel  has  a  pow'r  to  ihem  unknown : 

Own  'twas  its  gentle  influence  that  subdu'd 

The  untam'd  savage,  and  the  native  rude. 

Again  commission'd,  on  his  friends'  behalf, 
CovKLL  provides,  and  bears  th'  appointed  staff 
To  the  first  sachem— and  the  box,  that  shows 
The  circle  of  God's  love,  that  does  enclose 
The  human  heart— with  silver  pipe  is  sent 
To  the  chief  warrior;  but,  with  wise  intent 
To  have  the  tube  inserted,  by  his  hands  : 
The  emphatic  sign  with  ease  he  understands. 
A  token  to  confirm  their  wish,  to  join 
In  lasting  friendship  ;  shew  their  whole  design 
Was  pure  benevolence  to  all  the  race, 
Though  darker  hues  spread  o'er  the  Indian  face  : 
Sweet  charity  embraces  all  mankind. 
Her  ardent  zeal  flows  free,  and  unconfin'd. 

But,  ah  !  his  race  of  glory  now  is  run  ; 
His  labor's  finish'd,  all  his  work  is  done; 
A  few  revolving  weeks,  with  grief  we  find. 
Ends  his  career,  and  closes  his  design — 
Death  shuts  the  scene! 

Hark  !  from  the  wilderness,  of  late,  we  hear — 
The  piercing  sound  salutes  the  lisl'ning  ear  : 
CovELL  is  dead  !— the  weeping  churches  cry  : 
CovELL  is  dead  I— the  echoing  hills  reply. 


'''WI^]^. 


^    ]^^^-?fW^^^f 


it^f- 


LEMUEL  C07ELL. 


ITS 


Well  may  the  church  appear  in  sackcloth  dress'd, 
To  mourn  the  man,  the  Christian,  and  tho  priest. 

Cheshire,  the  seat  of  Covell'^  late  abode, 
Feel  most  severely  the  chastising  rod, 
Their  ardent  wishes  were  fulfill'd  awhile ; 
They  shar'd  his  labors,  and  enjoy'd  his  smile. 
Alas !  too  soon  iheir  pleasing  prospects  end  ; 
In  vain  they  mourn  their  dear  departed  friend: 
No  pray'rs  can  alter  or  reverse  the  doom 
That  call'd  the  righteous  from  the  ills  to  come. 

But  who  can  paint  the  anguish,  speak  the  pain 
Of  his  lov'd  partner,  and  her  orphan  train  ! 
Uepriv'd,  at  once,  of  husband,  father,  friend  ; 
One  fatal  stroke  their  earthly  comforts  end  : 
The  heaving  bosom,  and  the  streaming  tear. 
Best  speak  their  grief— their  heavy  woes  declare. 
Must  they  be  left,  in  solitude  to  pine? 
Or.  will  united  brethren  nobly  join 
"T'  assuage  the  ihrobbings  of  the  fester'd  part, 
"And  stanch  the  bleedings  of  the  broken  heart  ?" 
Surely  the  widow's  judge  will  deign  to  bless 
Each  act  of  kindness  to  the  fatherless; 
Will  render  double  for  such  favors  shown, 
To  soothe  the  widow's  and  the  orphan's  groan. 

Here  stop  my  fancy,  and  reverse  the  theme: 
Though  he  deserv'd  our  love,  and  high  esteem. 
Yet  let  us  not  contemplate  Zion's  fall, 
Though  a  wide  breach  is  made  within  her  wall: 
Jesus  still  lives  1  the  rock  of  ages  proves— 
A  firm  foundation  that  can  never  movej 
Built  on  this  roclc,  the  church  must  ever  stand, 
Though  tempest  sweep,  and  thunder  shake  the  land  !" 

A  letter  from  Elder,  now  Dr.  N.  Kendrick,  who  went 
on  the  same  mission  tour  in  1808,  informed  us  that  the 


-% 


174  M  E  M  0  I  R    0  P 

church  in  Clinton,  where  Mr.  Covell  died,  had  enclosed 
his  grave  with  a  decent  fence,  and  had  erected  a  perpet- 
uating monument  at  their  own  expence.  He  also  sent 
us  a  copy  of  the  inscription,  but  the  letter  not  having 
been  in  my  possession  for  several  years,  I  am  unable  to 
present  an  accurate  copy  here. 


closed 
perpet- 
0  sent 
having 
ible  to 


